Estimated 60.3 per cent polling recorded in II phase

Bangalore, May 16 (UNI) An estimated 60.3 per cent polling was recorded for 66 seats in 10 districts second phase polls for the Karantaka assembly which remained incident free.

Briefing newspersons Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) M N Vidyashankar said today that Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts had recorded highest turnout of 68 per cent each, while the lowest of 47 per cent polling was recorded in Raichur.

He said that the polling was conducted in a most peaceful atmosphere and no untoward incident was reported anywhere from the 10 districts.

In 19 polling stations the Electronic Voting Machines had to be replaced due to technical snags. However polling was not affected as the EVMs were either replaced or faults attended immediately.

He said that in Chitradurga, an inebriated person entered the polling station and damaged the master control unit. Polling was halted for few minutes before the equipment was replaced. In Mangalore North segment police nabbed a person who tried to cast bogus vote, he said.

In Chitradurga district Holalkere assembly seat people of a village did not turn up for voting in protest against lack of basic amenities, including drinking water and motorable road.

He said that among the 10 districts which went for second phase poll today Bellary recorded 55 per cent followed by Chickmagalur (63), Chitradurga (60), Dakshina Kannada (68), Davanagere (64), Koppal (62), Raichur (47), Shimoga (60), Udupi (68) and Uttara Kannada (61).

Replying to a question he said in a polling station in Bellary City segment, the presiding officer was replaced after he had failed to follow laid down procedure.

Mr Vidyashankar said as of now there was no proposal before the EC to hold repolling in any of the 12,271 polling stations in second phase.

"The decision to hold repoll, if any, will be taken after receiving inputs from all the polling stations," he said.

(Ed: Pls pick up suitably from earlier series).

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