Pics: Daya Kukkaje/Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Heavy security arrangements in place
Mangaluru May 13: The assembly election is over with 77.63% polling in Dakshina Kannada district, with Mangaluru South 67.47%, Mangaluru North 74.55%, Belthangady 81.40%, Moodbidri 75.41%, Bantwal 81.89% and Sullia 83% turnouts.
The election battle between Congress and BJP in the district will come to conclusion as counting of votes will be held on May 15 from 7am, at Mahatma Gandhi Centenary Higher Primary School Bondel (for Belthangady, Moodbidri and Mangaluru North) and Mahatma Gandhi centenary PU College Bondel (for Mangaluru South, Mangaluru, Bantwal, Puttur and Sullia).
The security has been beefed up ahead of counting centres as well as in the Kavoor – Bondel – Padavinangadi stretch with SSB squad and police personnel in the sensitive areas.
District administration has restricted political parties from bursting crackers during the celebrations. Police have kept close watch on mischief mongers to maintain law and order in the district.
There will also parking restriction and regular vehicular movement is restricted beside the premises of counting centres on May 15. There would be restriction on parking of vehicles in the either side of the road from Bondel Junction to Gundu Rao Lane Cross. The vehicles coming from Bajpe will be diverted from Kavoor proceeding towards Kulur or Kuntikana.
The vehicles coming from KPT should take right turn after Daijiworld Residency Building towards Gundu Rao Lane Cross which connects to Kavoor. For the airport vehicles should take KPT – Kulur – Kavoor Bajpe route, instead of KPT – Bondel route.
The concerned people entering to counting centres should park their vehicle at KHB ground. During the exit they should proceed from Eshwar Katte road which connects to KPT.
There will be no restriction for Police, election officer vehicles having authorized passes from entering to counting centres.
Udupi
All the electronic voting machines (EVM) from polling booths spread over five assembly segments in the districts have reached the counting centre at TA Pai English Medium School, Kunjibettu here. The building is now being guarded by police personnel round the clock.
On Saturday, all the EVMs from Udupi and Kaup constituencies were brought to the de-mustering centre, St Cecily's school here. The EVMs pertaining to Karkala constituency were brought to Manjunatha Pai Hall at Karkala. The machines from Kundapur and Byndoor constituencies were brought to Bhandarkar's college Kundapur. Shifting of machines to the city continued all through the night, with machines from Byndoor constituency reaching here at about 7.30 am on Sunday.
120 paramilitary personnel, a district armed police contingent, and a contingent of Karnataka State Reserve Police have been placed around the counting centre for safety and security. CCTV cameras have also been installed to make doubly sure that everything goes on well.
Under the guidance of deputy superintendent of police here, Jaishankar, and Karkala assistant superintendent of police, Hrishikesh Sonawane, two circle inspectors, four sub-inspectors and 70 head constables and constables have been working in two shifts to keep vigil. Fire brigade and anti disruptive activities squad have also been kept in readiness at the counting centre to handle any eventuality.
District deputy commissioner and electoral officer, Priyanka Mary Francis, has issued prohibitory orders under section144 of Indian Penal Code from 6 am on May 15 to 6 am on May 17.