Barring a few minor incidents, the polling in five assembly constituencies was peaceful in Chikmagalur district on Sunday. The polling was slow in rural and urban areas from morning till afternoon.
About 72 to 74 per cent polling has been registered in the district, said sources in the district administration. The poll percentage in the district till 5 pm was 64 per cent. There was brisk polling in Chikmagalur and Mudigere constituencies in the morning.
The turnout in Ambale was 23 per cent in the morning. However, by afternoon, the turnout was 70 per cent. A few political parties had made arrangement for the supply of food for the voters.
A 84-year-old Lakkamma exercised her franchise in Ambale polling booth.
Shakunthala, who is exercising her franchise for first time in her life at Kalasapura said that she was happy to exercise her right. “We need to exercise our franchise judiciously. There is a need to vote for those who will respond to the needs of the people. The turnout was 70 per cent in Bhaktarahalli, Kabbigarahalli and Boochihalli colony by 11.45 am.
Muthamma (84) and Kenchamma (85) had even blessed Chikmagalur candidate C T Ravi outside the polling booth at Pillenahalli. Webcasting was introduced in Sakharayapattana booth. A woman who was waiting for her turn in a queue to exercise her franchise at Tarikere Junior College fell unconscious, following increase in temperature. An ambulance was pressed to service and she was shifted to a hospital.
Minor incident
When police tried to disperse a crowd at Karakucchi, the police pushed an ailing person, who fell unconscious. However, he was shifted to a hospital for treatment. When the locals started agitating on the behaviour of the police, SP Shashikumar and DySP Sadananda visited the spot and solved the problem.
The police had to resort to minor lathi charge to disperse the crowed at Lakkavalli, resulting in the injury of a few voters.
MLA D S Suresh who rushed to the spot, condemned the lathi charge and called upon the voters to vote peacefully.
DC visits
Deputy Commissioner Yashwanth Kumar convinced the voters who had decided to boycott the polls,to exercise their franchise at Alekhan Horatti village in Javali Gram Panchayat.
Demanding basic facilities including good road, primary health centre, the villagers had decided to boycott the election. However, the DC who visited the spot convinced the villagers on the need for exercising their franchise.
The DC promised to solve the problems after the elections.
Boycott
Hosanagara villagers in Kunnahalli polling booth boycotted the election.
Demanding better facilities for the Thathkola evacuees, who have been relocated at Hosanagara, the evacuees boycotted the election. Taluk panchayat EO Chennabasappa had promised to solve the problems three days ago, however, the voters remained adamant and did not exercise their franchise.
