Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency tentatively reported a 77.44% voter turnout, with the actual data subject to change after the Polling Returning Officers (PROs) submit the final report to their higher authorities.
Polling for the first phase of the Lok Sabha election, encompassing 14 Lok Sabha segments of the state, took place on Friday. Polling in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituencies began on a positive note, with both constituencies surpassing 50% voting by 2 pm. Except for a few incidents, polling in these two constituencies remained largely peaceful.
Among the assembly constituencies of the Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, the Sullia assembly segment reported the highest voter turnout of 78.35%, followed by Belthankady with 75.59%, Puttur with 75.2%, and Bantwal and Mangaluru both at 73.69%. However, the voter turnout was lower in the city’s north and south, with respective turnouts of 69.75% and 61.81%. Moodabidri reported a 68.62% voter turnout.
In the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency, according to ECI data, a 76.06% voter turnout was reported. As usual, Bengaluru voters did not turn out in large numbers, despite numerous requests from the ECI and celebrities, failing to show enough enthusiasm to reach the polling booths and exercise their rights. Bengaluru Central constituency reported the lowest turnout at 53.33%, with Bengaluru North following at 53.66% and Bengaluru South at 52.94%. Bengaluru Rural reported a 65.72% voting turnout.
The turnouts for other constituencies are as follows: Chamarajanagar at 73.10%, Chikkaballapur at 76.21%, Chitradurga at 72.82%, Hassan at 77.69%, Kolar at 77.24%, Mandya at 81.29%, Mysuru at 68.99%, and Tumkuru reported a 77.58% voter turnout. The percentages may vary as the ECI may publish final figures by this evening.
