Mangalore, Apr 17: Moderate to brisk polling was recorded in the first hours of polling in coastal Karnataka, which includes three Lok Sabha constituencies namely, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi-Chikmgalur.

People across this region thronged polling stations Thursday morning to cast their vote for their favourite leader in the fray. Congress candidates B Janardhana Poojary, K Jayaprakash Hegde and BJP candidates Nalin Kumar Kateel, Shobha Karandlaje were among the early voters in their respective constituencies. Other prominent leaders like former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda, Mangalore South MLA J R Lobo, Udupi JD(S) candidate Dhananjay Kumar, Moodbidri MLA Abhaychandra Jain, Udupi district in charge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, Mangalore Bishop Dr Aloysius D’Souza, Pejawar mutt pontiff Vishweshwara Theertha swamiji were also among the early voters.

The polling started at 7a.m. in most of the polling stations, barring a few polling booths, where the process was delayed due to some technical snags in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Amid tight security, moderate voting was underway in naxal-affected areas of Western Range.

According to sources, by 2:30 p.m. the voter turnout in Dakshina Kannada crossed 50 per cent. Beltangady – 52.06%, Moodbidri – 40%, Mangalore North – 44.31%, Mangalore South – 48%, Mangalore- 51%, Bantwal – 47%, Puttur – 58%, Sullia – 59%

Courtesy:Coastal Digest