Seers takes lead in discharging voting rights

Bangalore, May 10: Three well known seers today showed the way for those who treat the right to vote rather lightly, by exercising their franchise soon after the polling started for the first phase of the Karnataka assembly elections today.

The 101-year-old Sri Shivakumaraswamy of Siddaganga Mutt of Tumkur walked into the booth in Kyatsandra without any help showed his Election ID card provided by the Election Commission and went to the enclosure where the electronic voting machine was kept and voted for his candidate.

Similarly Sri Desikendra Swamiji of Suttur Math and Ganapathy Sachidananda Swamiji of Avadoot Peetha both in Mysore went together to vote in a pooling booth close to their mutts. The two mutts are located close by on the foothills of Chamundi Hills.

Former Minister H D Revanna, who is seeking re election from Holenarasipura in Hassan District came to vote and not being happy with the direction for some reasons, moved the table on which the EVM was kept and then cast his vote.

It was later clarified that it did not amount to any violation of Election code. Apparently Mr Revanna moved the table as sunlight from the window was hitting the EVM directly.

In Kolar District, a Gram Panchayat Bill Collector throwing to the winds the norm of government staffer not take sides of any political party, was seen canvassing allegedly on behalf of Congress in Srinivasapura in violation of Code of Conduct which bars government employees associating themselves with any political parties.

A polling official in one of the booths in Varuna Assembly constituency in Mysore district, from where Deputy Chief Minister and Congress Chief Ministerial aspirant Siddaramaiah is seeking election, was removed for allegedly canvassing for Congress.

On receiving a complaint from BJP cadre, District Election officer Manivannan ordered his removal as well as changing the EVM.

The old EVM was sealed and kept in the safe custody.

UNI