Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)
Bantwal, May 10: The polling process in Bantwal was conducted smoothly, with voters showing enthusiasm as they arrived in the morning of Wednesday, May 10 to cast their votes.
However, there were initial defects in the voting machines at the Pudu, Bantwal, and Anantadi polling booths, which were promptly addressed by the officials. At the Meginapete polling booth, a disagreement between two groups was reported. Additionally, there were allegations that the 12D forms, pertaining to certain voters, had not reached households in Benjanapadavu, Moodayikodi, and Dharekatte areas. As a result, Victor Baretto, a voter, was assisted on a wheelchair, while Aithappa Belchada was supported for voting as he had difficulty walking. An elderly lady from Thodambila was brought to the polling station in a wheelchair.
Several prominent figures exercised their right to vote, including BJP candidate Rajesh Naik at the Thenka Edapadav booth in Mangaluru North. Congress candidate Ramanath Rai and his family cast their votes at Thodambila Sacred Heart Church School booth. Former Union Minister B Janardhan Poojary voted at the SVS school booth, while former president of Keonics, K Harikrishna Bantwal, also cast his vote there. Candidates from all political parties visited nearby booths to encourage their supporters, and RSS leader Dr Prabhaker Bhat Kalladka visited various booths in Bantwal to oversee the proceedings.
The election process near Vitla was also conducted peacefully, with no untoward incidents reported. However, at the Bolantimogaru Government School booth, voters were seen waiting until 5:30 pm, as there were more than 1,000 voters at this location. The voting process was slower due to the single center for both men and women. At 6 pm, with approximately 30 voters still in line, the gate was closed.
Furthermore, Mohandas Paramahamsa of Sridhama temple exercised his franchise at Muruva Government School, while Mahabala Swamiji of Kaniyoor cast his vote at the Kanyana booth.