Mangalore, March 7, 2013
The overall turnout 63.33% was recorded for the 60 wards of Mangalore City Corporation which went for polls today, March 7, 2013. Kannur recorded highest turnout of 75.29% whereas Bendore ward comprising the upper middle class city folks showed least interest in voting as it recorded least turnout of 47.39%.
In all 676 candidates were in the fray in the & Urban Local Bodies (ULB’s) of Dakshina Kannada comprising Mangalore City Corporation, Ullal, Moodbidri, Bantwal, Puttur, Belthangady and Sullia which went for simultaneous polls today.
Ullal Municipal town recorded a turnout of 70.08%, Moodbidri 73.84%, Bantwal 76.09%, Puttur 71.23%, Sullia 80.01% and Belthangady 75.49% polling.
Voting peaceful in Mangalore
In Mangalore City Corporation out of the 3,22,293 voters 2,07,070 voters had voted in today’s civic elections. Of this 99,570 were males and 1, 07,500 were females. Voting was peaceful in Mangalore except for a two stray incidents reported from Bunder and Shivbhag wards. Trouble started in Bunder area when it was reported that the Congress had brought a bus full of youngsters to vote for them.
Interestingly, the names of these youngsters were found in the Congress list the same could not be found in BJP and JD(S) list. JD(S) and BJP members objected to the youngsters voting resulting in a tense situation among various political parties. The police resorted to lathi charge and the situation was brought under control.
In the morning Shivbhag ward witnessed a chaotic situation when police officials objected and demolished the booths of political parties saying they were too close to the voting centre. .The political parties were required to set up their booths at least 200 meters away from the voting centre. Following this all political parties joined and objected the police action. They demanded that they should be allowed to put up their booths near the gate. Finally election officer allowed political parties to set up their kiosks at a distance of 30 metres from the gate to avoid confusion and crowding near the gate.
UDUPI
Udupi city Municipal Council recorded 71.14% voting, which was much higher as compared to the polling recorded in Mangalore City Corporation.
Kundapur recorded 76.15%, Karkala 76.16%, and Saligrama recorded 77.53% polling resulting in a an overall polling of 74.99%.
Udupi also reported peaceful polling except for a minor scuffle that broke out between BJP and Congress at Chitpady. It was alleged that BJP candidate Naveen Bhandary was found luring the voters by paying cash. However, the issue was settled amicably.
