Date:05/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/05/stories/2008050561160400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Rs. 500 for a vote?

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: What is the cost of your vote? Going by the “rate” in Bommanahalli constituency, each vote could fetch Rs. 500 if you “pledge” your voter photo identity card.

According to some voters who have been allegedly approached by agents of political parties, Rs. 250 is being given as advance amount and their identity cards being taken away for “safe keeping”.

A day before the election, the identity cards would be returned to them along with Rs. 250 not before taking an oath from the voters that they would vote for that particular candidate who has paid him.

While a number of voters in Devara Chikkanahalli have “pledged” their cards already, some educated voters have chased away the “agents” who have approached them, says S.T. Arasu, president of the Krishna Layout Residents Welfare Association.