Mangalore: Ullal By-poll - Will Weather Play the Spoilsport ?

Update : 10-00 am IST

Although there was heavy overcast around the city and with Met dept having forecast the onset of monsoons any time, there were fears that the weather would spoil the party for the political parties grappling for this prestigious seat.

Any downpour is likely to dampen the voters' spirits and hamper the voting percentage, as many would prefer to stay indoors in case of rains. Although the clouds have cleared, there is still an element of suspense and uncertainty about the weather.

There is widespread appreciation for the security deployed, in view of Ullal being a communally sensitive area for decades.

Mangalore: Polling for Ullal By-election Commences amidst Tight Security

Spot report from Gladson D’Almeida
Pics  Sphoorti Ullal and Rajesh Shetty

Saturday, 9-15 am IST

Mangalore, June 2: Finally the day has arrived.  The Ullal by-election which has gained utmost importance in the state politics for a number of reasons has begun. 

Polling began on a sedate note on Saturday June 2 at 7-00 am.  People were seen queuing up to exercise their franchise in the early hours.  Since it is not a public holiday, those who have to go to work either to city or to some other places, made their way to their polling station to cast their votes.  Even a few students, who might first-time voters, were found at the polling booth in the morning.

A few welcome showers kept the voters indoors on Saturday morning.  Now that clouds have disappeared and clean sky has emerged, voting is expected to gain momentum. 

Heavy security has been in place near every polling booth.  Each booth has been provided with armed police personnel along with the usual security.  On the whole,  security has been beefed up in the entire constituency and police have taken utmost care to ensure peaceful and fair polling.

The administration led by deputy commissioner M Maheshwar Rao has not taken anything for granted.  Everything has been meticulously planned as the entire state is curiously watching the happenings of Ullal with bated breath.

Five candidates who are in the fray were among the first ones to cast their votes in their respective areas.  While Congress candidate U T Khader exercised his vote at Boliyar, JD (S) candidate came to Natekal polling station to cast his franchise.  Chandrashekhar Uchil of BJP cast his vote at Uchil and Balakrishna Shetty of CPI (M) voted at Bajal.

There are 161070 voters out of which 80,000 are male whereas 81,070 are female.  There are 140 polling booths among which 56 are hyper-sensitive and 70 are sensitive and the rest 14 are common.

More updates will follow at regular intervals.