Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network – Bhatkal (EP)

Bhatkal, Feb 14: The taluk panchayat and zilla panchayat elections in the taluk went on peacefully except for a few verbal clashes in one or two places. The total turnout was 63 percent.

Though the voting was slow in many places in the morning, many voters especially women flocked to the voting booths in the afternoon. Voters were found running to the booths even after the scheduled time. Haduvalli Kuntavani booth recorded the highest voting of 80 percent.

MLA Mankalu Vaidya Mavalli waited in the Q for voting in Bedramane booth. As the machine gave in at about 11 am at Bailuru Madikeri booth, voting was stopped for fifteen minutes. Similarly, the EVM stopped working at about 2 pm at Mavalli booth no 22 and voting had to be stopped for more than half-an-hour. Voting resumed after the officials went to both the places and repaired the machines.

There were arguments between workers of political parties at Puravarga and police had to intervene Tight security was arranged throughout the taluk.