Barring minor incidents — there was a delay in voting because of a technical snag in some electronic voting machines and scuffles between rival party workers — polling in the elections to the urban local bodies (ULBs) went off peacefully in Bijapur and Bagalkot districts.
At the time of going to press, the turnout in Bijapur was given as 75 per cent and 65 per cent in Bagalkot district.
Long queues
While several polling booths witnessed long queues right from the morning in Bijapur city, polling at other places picked up only after noon.
In ward number 5, only five of the 650 voters had exercised their franchise till 11.30 a.m. Many were seen complaining that their names were not in the voters’ list.
“We are being made to run from one polling booth to another,” said Sunita Patil, a resident of the ward.
There were also some reports of people having names in voters’ list in multiple wards.
No to Aadhaar
There was confusion at some booths as many had no idea that the Election Commission has not approved Aadhaar as one of the 21 documents for identity in case one did not have an electoral photo identity card.
“Hopefully, in the next election, the commission may consider it as an alternative,” said Deputy Commissioner Shivayogi Kalasad.
Official replaced
In Bagalkot, polling official Rudrappa Kanthi at ward number 21 of Badami taluk was accused of working for the Congress and replaced.
People of ward number 3 of Rabakavi-Banahatti City Municipal Council reportedly boycotted the elections in protest against the lack of facilities.
Residents within the Teradal Town Panchayat limits too boycotted the polls as their demand for Teradal to be made a taluk was not met.
