60% voter turnout in 1st phase of Karnataka assembly polls: EC

New Delhi, May 10 (UNI) An estimated 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of polling in the Karnataka assembly elections today which passed off peacefully, Deputy Election Commissioner Rajrishi Bhattacharya said.

The official, quoting latest reports available, said no untoward incident was reported in today's polls held for 89 assembly seats in 11 districts of the state.

In the rural areas, the polling percentage was pegged at 64 per cent and in the urban areas it was in the range of 50 per cent, he announced at a press conference.

Due to the presence of queues in certain areas at around 1700 hrs, it was decided to allow the waiting voters to cast their ballot.

"In view of this, the poll percentage is expected to go up marginally," he said.

Regarding reports of bogus voting, he said following receipt of a complaint, some arrests had been made three days ago after it was detected that 33 electoral cards were bogus.

"Investigations are on," Mr Bhattacharya said, adding that the complaint had been received from the Greater Karnataka municipal corporation layout area.

About complaints of poll violation by a company entrusted with the poll process, he said the Election Commission had tried to ensure that there was no violation in today's polling in 146 poll stations. An elaborate security set-up was in place with a five-tier security system.

In the case of complaints about a poll observer showing partiality, he said the observer had been replaced.

UNI SD RR RAI1958