The Assembly constituency, which is a part of Shimoga constituency, has registered 75.26% polling on Tuesday.
The segment had reported 58.98% polling in the last by-elections for the Shimoga constituency.
The segment, which covers the Maoist-affected regions, recorded good percentage of polling by noon. Areas like Thombattu, Macchattu, Amasebailu, Devarablu, Jadkal and Hallihole registered brisk polling since the morning.
The scattered houses and polling booth being at equal distance was a challenge for the voters in these regions. Some voters had come to the booths from 10 kilometres away.
The booth at the Government Higher Primary School, Thombattu, reported 42% of polling by 11.10 am. An 89-year-old Mutthu came with her vote from a long distance to vote.
The segment recorded 14.39% and 45.64% polling by 9 am and 1 pm respectively.
Boycott rumours
The polling station at Bijur reported 66% polling in spite of rumours of one section boycotting the election by noon.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Vidya Kumar said that the voting was peaceful and only 9 VVPATs, three ballot units and control units each were replaced due to technical problems. “At 74-Ullur, the VVPAT had to be replaced four times owing to sunlight reflecting inside the booth. The Maoist-affected areas too reported good polling,” she added.
Polling stations at Mudur reported 50% and 57.8% polling respectively by 1.50 pm.
Helping mothers
The Sakhi polling station at Hemmadi recorded 56.66% of polling by 3.40 pm. ‘Chinnara Angala’ was especially designed for mothers who come with their toddlers and children.
Trupti from Bhandarkar’s College, a first-time voter, said that she strongly believed that the voting surely makes a difference and she had been eagerly waiting for the opportunity.
The ADC said that ballot units were safely transported in three containers with GPS to the strong room at the Shivamogga DC’s office.