Bengaluru: The first phase of the Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections held in 15 districts of the state saw a voter turnout of between 60 to 65 per cent on Saturday .
Although the polling began on a dull note it picked up in the afternoon. ADGP (Law & Order) , Alok Mohan told the DC that polling was peaceful except for minor clashes in Chitradurga and Chikkaballpur districts.
In Dharwad, opposition leader in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar and state BJP president Prahlad Joshi were arrested for staging a dharna in front of the deputy commissioner's office protesting the arrest of their candidate on charges of violation of poll conduct.
Re-polling has been ordered in one constituency in Uttara Kannada district owing to a problem with the ballot paper. The election will be held here on Monday.
MLA seeks action against poll staff
Tumakuru Rural MLA B. Suresh Gowda and former legislator Gowrishankar staged a protest against the polling officers, who allegedly did not allow voters to caste their votes citing that they came after 5 pm.
The incident occurred at Beeranakallu booth near Tumakuru City,
But the legislators claimed that though the voters were in queue, the officer did not allow them to caste their votes.
In Chikkaballapur, there was a clash between Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) workers at Ganganahalli in Sidlaghatta taluk.
Bidar: Cong, BJP disappointed
While the moderate turnout of voters in Deodurga and Bidar North Assembly constituencies has disappointed political parties, the Congress and BJP remained upbeat about their candidates’ chances.
While admitting that he was disappointed with the voting percentage in Deodurga as he had expected 70, president of Raichur DCC Vasanth Kumar claimed it would not affect his party’s chances.
BJP district president, Basangouda Byagawat too was unhappy with the voting percentage, but claimed all information pointed to his party’s victory.
Bidar DCC president Khaji Arshad Ali claimed the trend in Bidar North indicated the Congress would win the seat.
