The election to 135 wards of five urban local bodies in Hassan went on peacefully on Friday. Barring an incident at Channarayapatna, where confusion prevailed over the change in serial numbers of candidates, the process was smooth. The election was held for CMCs in Hassan and Arsikere and TMCs of Channarayapatna, Holenarasipur and Sakleshpur.
By 11 a.m. the average turnout was 21.97%. In some wards, where the contest was hectic, the turnout was good. H.S. Prakash, former MLA, was seen moving from one booth to another in the city. BJP and JD(S) supporters in Ward 6 argued about campaigning within the restricted area around the booth. Booth level officers had distributed chits carrying information and booth details in advance. The workers and candidates were seen appealing to voters. Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri, R.K. Shahapurwad, SP, exercised their right to vote in ward 1.
Tension prevailed at a booth of Ward 2 in Channarayapatna as the serial numbers of two candidates were interchanged. Sujatha, of Congress, was on serial number 2, while BJP’s Shankramma’s serial number was 3. They picked up an argument with the officers and wanted polling stopped. Senior officers let it continue.
The response in Sakleshpur and Holenarasipur was more. There were long queues in booths at Holenarasipur. A young couple visited a booth to vote, soon after getting married in a choultry in the town.
Less than 50%
The average voters’ turnout in the five ULBs of Hassan district till 3 p.m. on Friday was 44.23%. The highest turnout of 58.61% was recorded in Sakleshpur TMC. Tentative figures in Hassan CMC were 44.23%, Arasikere CMC, 53.81%; Channarayapatna TMC, 53.01%; and Holenarasipur TMC, 50.91%.
As many as 486 candidates were in the fray. The elections were held for 35 wards of Hassan CMC, 31 of Arsikere CMC and 23 wards each in Holenarasipur, Channarayapatna and Sakleshpur.