Date:21/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/21/stories/2005122101120500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Record turnout in panchayat polls

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: In what could be termed a record turnout of voters in the first phase of the zilla and taluk panchayat elections held on Monday, the percentage of voting averaged 70.26 in the 14 districts. According to figures made available by the State Election Commission, the highest voter turnout was recorded in Dharwad district (75.17). The percentage of voting in the other districts are as follows: Shimoga 70.26, Chickmaglur 69.89, Dakshina Kannada 69.27, Udupi 62.26, Hassan 72.31, Kodagu 64.86, Mandya 72.84, Mysore 74.37, Chamarajanagar 72.75, Belgaum 71.40, Gadag 68.02, Haveri 72.88 and Uttara Kannada 67.49. State Election Commissioner M.R. Hegde said re-polling has been ordered in Chandagalu, Hebbalu and Katnalu villages in K.R. Nagar taluk, which witnessed violence. Meanwhile, Bangalore Urban district Deputy Commissioner M.A. Sadiq has banned the sale of liquor from the midnight of December 21 to the midnight of 23.