Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

The coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi registered many interesting events during the polls held for 13 constituencies (8 in DK and 5 in Udupi). A few of them have been listed below.

Booth 4 kms away

As per the election code of conduct, any polling booth should not be more than 1.5 km to 2 km away from their houses. However, for the residents of Parameshwari Nagara and Navanagara and Kana, they have to travel three to four kilometre to reach the polling booth at Janata colony in Surathkal.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Amitha in Parameshwari Nagara in Chokkabettu said “those who own vehicles, can reach the polling booth easily. It is very difficult to go by walking to the polling booth to exercise our rights. Though there is a bus facility, the frequency is very less. Even after getting down from bus, we have to walk in this hot sun, to reach the polling booth,” she said.

“Those who are residing on the left hand side of the road, they are given polling booth nearby,” she rued.

Another resident Jagadish said “we have no option but to exercise our franchise as it is sacred.”

Tara, a physically challenged person from Kana also had to travel three kilometres to reach the polling booth at Janata Colony. “As she can not walk, I had to take the help of an autorickshaw to bring her to the polling booth, to allow her to exercise her franchise,” said her mother.

First time voters

Shravani, a first time voter at Janata Colony in Suratkal was overwhelmed after exercising her franchise. “Initially I was bit nervous, now I feel happy after exercising my franchise. Awareness programme prior to the polling has helped me a lot as how to go about and had also instilled a confidence in me.”

Stephi, another first time voter said that she was excited after casting her vote.

Grannys vote

Indira (87), a resident of Permude has been exercising her franchise since the first election. “I got married at the age of 13 and I am very enthusiastic of exercsing my franchise since the day one. I have never missed a chance to elect our elected representative. Inspite of increase in humidity and hot sun, I have come to exercise my franchise.”

Indira’s daughter-in-law Padmini said “my mother in law is very enthusiastic.”
Paulin D’Souza (81), a resident of Permude said “I have been exercising my franchise since the beginning. All the youth should exercise their sacred right for their better future. With the help of my great grandson, I could come here to exercise my franchise.”

Nancy (70) in Haleyangadi said “all should exercise their franchise. The use of ballot paper was interesting than the EVMs.”

Confusion galores

Mennabettu gram panchayat former member Anitha said “the polling officials were demanding any one of the ID cards that has been prescribed by the Election Commission along with the voters slip at Kinnigoli, in the morning. Many had not brought their ID cards other than slips. Then we had to fight with the officials, who later agreed to allow them to exercise our franchise.”

Yamuna, a woman in Kinnigoli had to return home after realising that her name is missing in the electoral list. She had voters ID.

Another woman said “a few had faced problem as the voters slip had not reached their homes. Many in the interior villages had not received voters slip. They had come to the polling booth to collect the slip from the BLO.”

103-year-old granny

The sight of an enthusiastic woman at the ripe age of 103 who walked up to the polling booth with the help of her daughter to affirm her democratic right was indeed spellbound in Udupi.

Buddamma Poojarthy from Tekkatte coming under Kundapur assembly constituency who was accompanied by her daughter Laxmi walked to the polling booth in Government Higher Primary School, Ultoor, to cast her ballot with the help of her daughter. Speaking in rural Kundapur Kannada, the old lady said voting is the right and one can not refrain from voting.

She said she has cast her precious right since the time of her memory. She will do it until her death, she added.

The 80-year-old Baccha Poojary who cast his ballot in the polling station in Government lower Primary School Gavali said that everyone should vote as it is a democratic right. He said he has cast his ballot without missing since he started voting for the first time. A 86- year-old Narsamma and 81-year-old Narasamma Shedthi who cast their ballot in Higher Primary School Rattadi said that they can not expect anything from elected representatives. They make unfulfilled promises.

Seena Kulal aged 75 who cast his ballot in Government Lower Primary School Gavali said he has always voted for the candidate and not for the party. He votes for the candidate who can take up some pro people work.

He said these candidates show moon to us during the time of elections and vanish once their aim is fulfilled. He works as a daily wage labourer.

More security men than voters!

In booth number 22 in Mangalore, around 35 per cent voting was over by noon. Later voters didn’t show interest to exercise their franchise. There were more party workers and security men than voters. Different party workers who were literally waiting for voters outside hoped that more people would come by evening. MLA Krishna J Palemar met his party workers to cheer them up.

Lesson to learn

Vittal Rao, an octogenarian was sitting in the premises of Lady Hill Convent booth (10,11,12,13), leaning to his walking stick in a corner, waiting for an auto rickshaw. Asked about his voting, he replied: “Yes I have done with it. I don’t miss it at any cost. Anyhow why should we neglect out right,” he questions.

Nothing like Cong, BJP!

There may be only one or two metres of difference between Congress and BJP tents in Kadri and it was difficult to make out who is supporting which party! A BJP worker said: “Hey there is nothing like Congress or BJP. They go together after the election, then why should be we quarrel. From last five years, workers won’t bother about parties,” he said.