Date:17/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/17/stories/2008051750280100.htm

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60 per cent polling in Karnataka phase II

Special Correspondent

Heaviest turnout in Udupi, Dakshin Kannada

Attempt at bogus voting thwarted
Number of central paramilitary platoons on duty

Bangalore: Polling in the second phase of elections to 66 of the 224 seats of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly held in 10 districts of the State was by and large peaceful. On May 10, 89 seats went to the polls in the first phase. The third phase for 69 seats is scheduled for May 22.

A violent incident that rocked Bellary on Thursday ultimately resulting in the transfer of the Superintendent of Police of the district and another incident at Hebri in Udupi district wherein a naxalite group indulged in a shoot-out resulting in the death of two people did not have much of an impact on the polling.

Udupi and the neighbouring district of Dakshin Kannada recorded the highest polling percentage of 68 for the second phase while Bellary recorded 55 per cent.

State Chief Electoral Officer M.N. Vidyashankar said the polling average was 60.3 per cent. It was 63.3 per cent in the first phase.

Heavy security

Director General and Inspector General of Police R. Srikumar told The Hindu that apart from the State police and the special anti-naxalite police, a number of platoons of central paramilitary forces were also on duty. There was only one attempt at bogus voting in a polling station at the New Mangalore Port and even this was thwarted by the police.

The polling percentage in the other districts were: Chikmagalur (63), Chitradurga (60), Davanagere (64), Koppal (62), Raichur (47), Shimoga (60) and Uttara Kannada (61).

Polling in the prestigious constituency of Shikaripur where the former Chief Minister, B.S. Yeddyurappa is facing another former Chief Minister, S. Bangarappa (of the Samajwadi party) was brisk through the day and had crossed the 70 per cent mark by the end of polling.

The Congress and the JD (S) have come together to extend support to Mr. Bangarappa. The other important candidates who figured in the second phase were former Deputy Chief Minister, M.P. Prakash (Congress) apart from former ministers K.S. Eshwarappa (BJP) and Iqbal Ansari (JD-S).