PRAMESH S JAIN
Highlights :
Yet again, ‘missing names’ haunt voters.
Apart from minor glitches here and there, polling had been smooth sailing.
Lok Sabha polls are being conducted in seven phases for 543 seats on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, and counting will be held on May 23.
The remaining 14 constituencies, mostly in northern districts, will go to polls in the second phase on April 23.
An estimated 68.62 per cent voter turnout was reported in the elections to 14 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka in the first phase on Thursday with the polls being by and large peaceful with no major incident reported. The main contest is between the ruling Congress-JD(S) alliance and the BJP. The key constituency of Mandya, where Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil is pitted against actress Sumalatha Ambareesh, recorded the highest voter turnout of about 80.23 per cent.
The lowest turnout was reported in Bangalore Central constituency with 54.19 per cent, election officials said. In other constituencies of the city that has a history of low voter turnout, Bangalore North recorded 53.23 per cent, Bangalore South 53.48 per cent and Bangalore Rural 64.90 per cent.
Bengaluru roads were in almost desert look,there was a low ridership in metro many people have left the city to enjoy their weekend but the people who did their duty and said it is our power to franchise their vote they did in style.
Travellers at Chikkamagaluru were in for a shock with residents as some residents stopped them to check if they had voted or not the residents asked the tourists show their fingers if they found they have not cast their vote they were felicitated by garlands with fake Aadhar,Pancards,Driving licence.
There were attempts to go for proxy voting in yelahanka when a group of youths tried to enter polling booth for proxy voting the alert cops and retaining officers caught 3 out of 16 while 13 people escaped.
For many couples voting came first before and after taking wedding vows.A groom came in traditional attire to cast their vote in Rajarajeshwari nagar constituency a bride Mrs.Nikitha Jain,said I just finished all the rituals of my marriage in palace grounds and came to cast my vote as it is my power and duty to franchise my vote as it is my fundamental rights she said reporters.
Around 200 first time voters of Krishnarajpuram in East Bengaluru got a surprise after they had exercised their franchise many first time voters were given a green gift as saplings were gifted they said distributing of saplings was aimed at encouraging first time voters.Saplings are sure to provide cool shade and oxygen for people in the locality they said.After casting the vote many voters lined up near Nrupathunga road Nisarga grand Hotel who offered to all the people who have franchised their vote the hotel authorities announced free Dosas,Sweet and juices will be given to all the people who franchise their vote they offered a butter dosa,sweet and a glass of juice to all the voters around 5700 voters received the goodies.
Many poll workers did not bother the voters carrying mobile phones inside and outside the polling booths they did not make any arrangements as the DEO,Manjunath Prasad announced on the ban on mobile phones making rounds in various media platforms many voters left their mobiles at home when they came to vote.
These are tentative final figures it may go up.It is better than last election,A senior poll official said, adding that the election was by and large peaceful, with no major incident reported.Voter turnout was at 68.68 per cent in these 14 Lok Sabha constituencies during the 2014 Parliamentary election. Polling began at 7 am in 30,164 polling stations of 14 constituencies that are in the southern part of the state, covering almost the entire old Mysuru region and few coastal districts.
In Tumkur, where former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda is locked in a tough contest with G S Basavaraj of BJP, 77.01 per cent turnout was reported. Hassan where Gowda’s other grandson Prajwal Revanna is contesting against A Manju of BJP, reported 77.28 per cent polling. Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s home turf of Mysore where sitting MP Prathap Simha of BJP is fighting against Vijayshankar of Congress saw 68.85 per cent polling.
Mandya, Mysore,Tumkur and Hassan are the constituencies where the ruling Congress-JD(S) faced dissidence among grassroot party workers as they were upset with the seat sharing arrangement. Both parties, which have been fighting against each other for decades, joined hands to form the government after the assembly polls last year as the election threw up a hung verdict.
As per the alliance arrangement, both parties decided to fight the Lok Sabha polls together which is something that the leadership of the Congress and JD(S) has not been able to convince their party men. In Mandya, the rebellion within Congress came out in the open as many of them supported Sumalatha.
With transfer of votes between Congress and JD(S) crucial for the alliance partners, especially in the old Mysuru region to defeat the BJP, the palpable dissidence and mistrust among workers of both parties in constituencies like Mandya, Mysore, Hassan, Tumkur are causing worry for the leadership.
Any adverse result is likely to have its impact on the longevity of the coalition government in the state. The BJP, which has set a target of bagging at least 22 out of the total 28 seats, is hoping to win the maximum number of seats in the first phase riding on the “Modi wave”.
Of the 14 constituencies that went to the polls, the BJP and Congress had won six each in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, and JD(S) in two. While the BJP is contesting in 13 constituencies and supporting Sumalatha, Congress and JD(S) have fielded candidates in 10 and four constituencies respectively.
Name deletion of voters has been an issue. Earlier cricketer Rahul Dravid, Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar’s mother and Infosys Co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan said that their names were deleted from the voter list.
In Akkipet in the Bengaluru Central assembly many voters were upset with their deletion of names in the voters list many raised their voices they protested against the election commission for deletion as in one case in a family Son name is there but his father name was deleted and in other case in Rajarajeshwari nagar constituency father name was there but his son’s name is deleted in voters list as many requested the ARO or Retaining officers for a challenging vote as they were anger for the deletion of their name in Nagarbhavi residence staged a protest in front of polling and demanded the concerned authorities and MLA should visit to the spot.
Polling booths today have been in a frenzy as few voters have not been able to find their names. Kamallamma, 70, who has been voting in Bengaluru Central was unable to exercise her right to vote as her name was deleted.
Bangalore techie votes immediately after wife gives birth to child:
The early morning birth of his second child and immediate medical concerns of his family did not deter Sandeep Mishra, a Bangalore-based techie,from casting his vote for the Lok Sabha polls in the stSate on Thursday.
Mishra (37), whose wife gave birth to their second son at about 5:45 am at a private hospital,rushed to his polling booth in Horamavu road (Bangalore North constituency) as soon as it opened at 7 am.I had ensured that I carry my voter ID card when I rushed to the hospital with my wife and family at about 3 am after she developed labour pain.I quickly drove to my polling centre, about 3 km from the hospital, as soon as saw my newborn son, Mishra told reporters,The software professional said he was among the first voters at the booth and he cast his vote at about 7:15 am.It is my responsibility to ensure that I vote and also look after my family and hence by voting early I will now be able to take care of the new member in the family and my wife easily,Mishra said.He added his wife, Sudha, regretted that she will not be able to cast her vote after the birth of their child but she “fully supported” him in ensuring that he exercised his franchise.
Congress and BJP workers clash in Anjanapura polling booth in KR Puram Area in which a congress worker was badly assaulted and was admitted to hospital.
Supporters of JDS and Congress were caught on camera for distributing money to voters :
In Yeshwanthpur congress supporters were seen distributing cash to voters in a yellow slip the incident was caught on camera.In Azad Nagar area of Chamarajpet some JDS supporters were caught on camera distributing openly cash to voters who came to cast their vote.
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner,T.Suneel Kumar with family members franchised their vote in Indiranagar area with ADGP,Bhaskar Rao too franchised his vote and tweeted
Vote and build the Nation, otherwise 20% vote share Leaders will unleash havoc.
Many celebrities like,Yash,Darshan,Ravishankar,
DCP,South,K.Annamalai,
Fourteen Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, including Bangalore North, Bangalore South and Bangalore Rural, are voting on Thursday.
Dakshina Kannada recorded 77.70 per cent polling, Udupi-Chikmagalur 75.26 per cent, Chitradurga 70.59 per cent, Chamarajnagar 73.45 per cent, Chikkaballapur 76.14 per cent and Kolar 75.94 per cent. Voting began at 7 am in 30,164 polling stations that are mostly in the southern parts of the state covering almost the entire old Mysuru region and a few coastal districts.
A total of 2,67,51,893 voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in the first phase with 241 candidates in the fray.
Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda along with wife Chennamma, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy along with wife Anita and son Nikhil, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the scion of Mysuru royal family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar along with wife Trishika, pontiffs Siddalinga Swamiji of Siddaganga mutt and Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji of Suttur mutt were among prominent personalities who cast their vote.
Also exercising their franchise were Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, RSS Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, former External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy along with wife Sudha, IT czar Nandan Nilekani, Kannada actors Ramesh Arvind and Sudeep.
In Mangaluru and Udupi, two brides cast their votes ahead of their marriage Thursday, while in Madikeri a bridegroom was seen entering the poll booth to cast his vote in traditional attire.
According to reports, two centenarians, one each in Dakshina Kannada district and Bengaluru, cast their vote. A poll officer on reserve duty died of heart attack in Chamaraja assembly segment under Mysore Lok Sabha constituency, officials said.
Here’s the statewise report:
Maharashtra: An average 61.22 per cent voter turnout was recorded across 10 constituencies in Maharashtra which went to the polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections. In 2014, the average voting in these seats was 62.39 per cent. The Nanded Lok Sabha seat recorded 60.88 per cent voting, the highest in the second phase, followed by Hingoli at 60.69 per cent. Prominent figures in fray were state Congress chief Ashok Chavan who is seeking another term from his hometurf Nanded, and former Union home minister and Congress veteran Sushil Kumar Shinde, who is contesting his “last election” from Solapur. In Beed, the hometurf of late BJPstalwart Gopinath Munde, his daughter Pritam Munde is seeking another term.
In the 2014 elections, the NDA had won eight out of these ten seats, whereas the Congress had won two –Nanded and Hingoli.
Assam: Over 76.22 per cent of the 69,10,592 voters cast their votes in the five Assam Lok Sabha constituencies during the second phase of polling. Karimganj(SC), Silchar, Autonomous Districts(ST), Nowgong and Mangaldoi constituencies. Nowgong recorded the highest polling of 75.71 per cent, followed by Mangaldoi and Silchar with 75.07 per cent and 71.79 per cent respectively. In Karimganj, the voter turnout was 71.41 per cent and Autonomous District witnessed the lowest voting at 69.51 per cent, the election office said.
Chhattisgarh: An impressive 71.40 per cent voters exercised their franchise in three Lok Sabha constituencies having Naxal presence, during the second phase of Lok Sabha election. Voting began in Kanker, Rajnandgaon and Mahasamund constituencies at 7 am. Barring an improvised explosive device (IED) blast triggered by Maoists in Mohla-Manpur Assembly of Rajnandgaon constituency, no untoward incident was reported.
Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu registered 66.36 per cent polling for the 38 Lok Sabha seats on Thursday, even as paramilitary forces fired in the air near Arakkonam in Vellore district to disperse a restive crowd. The bypoll to 18 assembly constituencies was held along with Lok Sabha polls and saw a 67.08 per cent voter turnout. Voting drew to a close in the state at 6 PM, except in Madurai, where polling has been allowed till 8 PM in view of the local temple festival.
Uttar Pradesh: Over 66.06 per cent of the votes were cast in the eight constituencies which went to the polls in Uttar Pradesh in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on Thursday. Polling was held in four reserved constituencies of Nagina, Bulandshahr, Hathras and Agra, besides four general constituencies of Amroha, Aligarh, Fatehpur Sikri and Mathura. There are 85 candidates in the fray for the eight seats, with 15 of them, the highest, in Fatehpuri Sikri.
Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 45.5% voting in the second phase of general elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Nearly 72 per cent polling was recorded in Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, while the turnout was low in Srinagar seat with nearly 15 per cent voters exercising their franchise till 5 pm. No major untoward incident was reported during polling which was being held amid tight security due to militant threats and a boycott call by separatists in Kashmir.
Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency recorded nearly 15 per cent polling, with highest 21 per cent polling recorded in Shia dominated Budgam district till 5 pm, poll officials said, adding that polling has been peaceful so far. Polling concluded at 6 pm. In the 2014 elections, Srinagar witnessed the lowest voter turnout in the country at 25.86 per cent whereas Udhampur witnessed 70.9 per cent polling.
Puducherry: Puducherry registered 76.19 per cent polling in the elections to the lone Lok Sabha seat Thursday. Official sources said the Thattanchavady Assembly segment, which also simultaneously went to a by-poll, registered 73 per cent voter turnout.
Karnataka: 68.62 per cent voter turnout was reported in the elections to 14 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka with a direct contest between the ruling Congress-JD(S) alliance and the BJP. Dakshina Kannada recorded the highest turnout of about 77.70 per cent, while the lowest was reported in Bangalore Central constituency with 54.19 per cent, poll officials said. Bangalore North recorded 53.23 per cent, Bangalore South 53.48 per cent and Bangalore Rural 64.90 percent.
Odisha: About 57.97 per cent of the over 76.93 lakh voters exercised their franchise in five Odisha Lok Sabha and 35 assembly seats in the second phase on Thursday, EC said. “No untoward incident was reported from anywhere,” State chief electoral officer Surendra Kumar said.
Bihar: Bihar recorded 62.38 per cent voting in five Lok Sabha seats amidst reports of EVM malfunctioning and poll boycott delaying the start of polling in some booths. Voting was delayed due to EVM malfunctioning at a polling station at Masuria in Banka town, two polling booths under Kahalgaon assembly segment in Bhagalpur, and another two booths in Purnea. Poll boycott was reported from a booth under Amarpur assembly segment in Banka.
West Bengal: Isolated incidents of violence, road blockades, bombings and police firing marred the second phase of polling at a few place in the three Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal with 76.42 per cent of voter turnout, EC officials said. Around 63.14 per cent polling was recorded in Darjeeling, 71.32 per cent in Jalpaiguri (SC) and 61.84 per cent in Raiganj seat. Raiganj reported the maximum incidents of violence from its Chopra and Islampur areas.
Manipur: In Manipur, the polling percentage was nearly 67.15 per cent.
Lok Sabha polls are being conducted in seven phases for 543 seats on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, and counting will be held on May 23.
The remaining 14 constituencies, mostly in northern districts, will go to polls in the second phase on April 23.
Apart from minor glitches here and there, polling had been smooth sailing.
