JOIN USMys-Kodagu records 65.2 pc voting
Peaceful polling was recorded in almost all the Lok Sabha constituencies in the Mysore region.
Barring the violence at Udayagiri in the city, where the clash between the workers of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Congress left three injured, elections to the parliament from Mysore-Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency was otherwise peaceful. When the polling ended on Thursday at 6 pm, a record turn out of 65.20 per cent was registered, compared to the 58.89 per cent recorded in the previous elections held in 2009.
Among the eight Assembly constituencies forming the parliamentary segment, the highest of 77.54 per cent polling was witnessed at Periyapatna, followed by Hunsur- 75.82 pc, Chamundeshwari- 67.26 pc, Krishnaraja- 57.31 pc, Chamaraja- 57.70 pc, Narasimharaja-55.93 pc, Madikeri- 68.80 and Virajpet- 65 pc.
When compared to the previous years, there is a considerable increase in the percentage of voting both in urban and rural centres. The constituency comprises 17.21 lakh voters, including 8.66 lakh men and 8.54 lakh women voters.
A total of 15 candidates are in the fray, with sitting MP A H Vishwanath seeking re-election on Congress ticket, followed by columnist Prathap Simha from BJP and former upa lokayukta Chandrashekaraiah from Janata Dal (Secular) prominent among them. The counting of votes will be held on May 16.
Earlier in the day, when the poll process commenced at 7 am, brisk polling was witnessed in urban centres compared to lack lustre rural polling booths. It gained momentum later, with couples and the first time voters and enthusiastic teenagers making it to the booths.
The city constitutes three constituencies- Krishnaraja, Chamaraja and Narasimharaja, and parts of Chamundeshwari. Though the polling commenced as per the schedule, it was only after two-and-a-half hours at 9.30 am, did the booths see good numbers of voters.
Young and old people accompanied by their relatives were seen walking towards polling booths. The various party workers too were seen wooing voters as a last minute effort. Most of the voters in residential areas like V V Mohalla, Kuvempunagar, Siddarthnagar and Vijayanagar, were first timers.
The polling was brisk till 2 pm and slowed down, only to get paced up at 4 pm. Many made sure that they exercised their rights before noon, in order to get rid off the scorching heat. Most of the commercial establishments across the city including supermarkets and food joints were shut till evening.
Similar scenes were witnessed at rural polling booths. Polling activities were slow during noon, and picked up pace by evening. Despite concerns about ‘medium’ battery in EVMs by polling officials at several polling stations, polling activities continued without any hindrance till the evening. Some polling booths in Hunsur, H D Kote and Mysore taluks had recorded over 65 per cent voter turn out by 4 pm. People were also seen being ferried to polling booths from places, which were at a considerable distance from the nearest polling station.
Polling booths in Mandya, Hassan and Chamarajanagar witnessed its share of problems with technical snags of EVMs, names of voters missing from the list, and citizens threatening to boycott the polls.