45 per cent turnout till 1500 hrs in Karnataka

Fri, May 16 05:25 PM

Bangalore, May 16 (PTI) An estimated 45 percent of the 1.10 crore electorate in Karnataka today exercised their franchise till 1500 hours during the second phase of polling which was marked by minor incidents of voters boycotting the polls over 'mix-up' in voters list and lack of basic amenities, police said. However, the poll process remained incident free so far, the sources said.

Polling was brisk in several assembly segments in the 66 constituencies spread over 10 districts in the state. However, in two villages, Banagere and Kotehal in Chitradurga, voters refused to cast their vote on the ground that there had been a mix-up of the voters list.

In Hallivenkatapura village in Raichur and Papenahalli in Chitradurga several voters stayed away from voting citing lack of amenities as the basic reason. In Kothipura in Shimoga, voters protested over their names being absent from the rolls.

Despite a call to boycott polls given by naxalites and the gunning down of one Bhoja Shetty in Hebri in Udupi district, there was no adverse impact on voting, police said adding the incidents did not deter voters in naxal affected areas of Karkala, Sringeri, Koppa, Thrithahalli and Hebri from exercising their franchise. The second phase of the polls would decide the political fortunes of BJP'S Chief Ministerial candidate, B S Yeddyurappa and arch rival S Bangarappa from Shikaripura.

Former Deputy Chief Minister M P Prakash's political fate will also be sealed by this evening. PTI.

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