Correspondent

CHIKMAGALUR: As much as 55 per cent polling was recorded in Chikmagalur district during the third phase of polling to the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Polling was peaceful.

Of the five Assembly constituencies in the district, Sringeri, Mudigere, Chikmagalur and Tarikere form part of the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency and Kadur has been attached to Hassan constituency after delimitation of constituencies.

Speaking to presspersons, R. Narayanaswamy, Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer said voter turnout was more than expected particularly in the naxal-affected areas of Sringeri and Mudigere Assembly segments.

He said the Maoist call for a poll boycott had not made any impression on the voters.

He said voters boycotted the polls in Kenchapura polling station in Tarikere taluk.

All the 953 voters in three villages attached to this polling station did not exercise their franchise complaining of lack of basic facilities.

In addition, 247 voters of Chikkathangali village, 388 voters in B. Voddarahatti and 268 voters in Siddapura section of Mathighatta polling station in Kadur taluk did not cast their vote.

Their grouse was lack of infrastructure and an independent polling station. Efforts by the authorities to change their mind were not successful.

He said the batteries of electronic voting machines in four places were found to be discharged.

They were replaced immediately by a BEL technician on hand.

He said the assistant returning officer has been instructed to investigate a complaint that a booth-level officer in Koppa town was found campaigning on behalf of a candidate at a canteen.

He said the election observer had complained that in some places tents set up by political parties near polling stations to help voters find their name in the voter list were displaying banners and posters appealing to voters to cast their votes in their favour.

As this amounted to campaigning such material were seized.

Voter identity slips prepared by the parties also contained a photograph and symbol of their candidate which was also objected to by the observer, he added.

In Kadur town, handbills appealing on behalf of a candidate were enclosed in newspapers.

He said notices have been issued and a case registered in this regard.