Date:29/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/29/stories/2007092959920100.htm

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65 p.c. polling in municipal election

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The elections to the 209 urban local bodies, including seven mahanagara palikes in the State, were peaceful and almost incident free, with an all time high of nearly 65 per cent polling.

Barring countermanding of election in one ward in the Haveri town due to the death of a candidate and cancellation of polling in a couple of polling stations and some minor incidents of violence, no major law and order problem was reported any where in the State.

The polling for the 31 member Ramanagara Town Municipal Council was brisk. It drew a lot of attention as the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Congress leaders such as C.M. Lingappa, former MLA, were eager to capture power in the TMC.

Enthusiastic

Briefing reporters, the State Election Commissioner M.R. Hegde said that he was happy about the enthusiasm shown by the electorate in exercising their franchise against odds such as floods in some areas, breaking the previous poll percentage record of around 62. Out of more than 90 lakh voters, 63 lakh voters had exercised their franchise.

Quoting deputy commissioners of the districts, who monitored the elections, Mr. Hegde said that the average percentage of polling rose to 65 by the end of the day.