It began slowly in the morning but picked up later
Except for a heated argument between workers and supports of the BJP and the Karnataka Janata Paksha in Chitradurga city, polling in all the six urban local bodies of the district was peaceful. The district recorded around 70 per cent polling on Thursday.
Polling in all the 141 wards began at 7 a.m. amid tight security. Although voting began slowly in the morning, it picked up later.
According to official sources, the district recorded about 24.25 per cent polling till 11 a.m. . By evening, however, all the five local bodies, except Challakere, recorded about 70 per cent polling. The response from voters in Challakere was poor till the afternoon, sources said.
Candidates, especially Independents, were seen appealing to voters for support. Despite adequate security arrangements, many contestants had hired vehicles for voters, violating the model code of conduct.
There was a heated exchange between BJP district unit president Siddesh Yadav and KJP leader Jitendra near the polling booth on Jogimatti Road in the afternoon over canvassing. However, police intervened and averted the situation from going out of control.