Low-key campaigning comes to an end

Low-key campaigning comes to an end
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Campaigning for the first phase of polls in the state ended on Thursday at 5 pm, 48 hours before polling.
The candidates made their last-ditch effort to woo voters, who decide their fate in 89 constituencies going to polls on Saturday.
The candidates were unanimous in the opinion that the Election Commission’s stringent norms on campaigning had turned this election into a low-key affair in terms of glamour and grandeur.
Unlike in previous years, this time, there was a strict ban on banners, buntings and posters. The strict rules for conducting public meetings, rallies, use of loudspeakers and number of vehicles has reduced the earlier charm. “Earlier, elections wore a festive look. It meant huge number of people, vehicles, colour, sound and food. Now, we do not even feel like elections,’’ said A Peter, a resident of Koramangala.
This time, the candidates had to sweat-it-out, literally. Braving the scorching summer sun, they had to rely on ‘Padayatra’ and door-to-door campaign to lure voters.
In the first phase, 11 districts - Bangalore, Bangalore rural, Kolar, Chikballapur, Ramanagaram, Tumkur, Mandya, Hassan, Kodagu, Mysore and Chamarajnagar - are going to the polls.
Poll preparations
Adequate preparations have been made to ensure smooth exercising of franchise for 19.57 lakh voters, said deputy commissioner (urban) M A Sadiq on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference on the security arrangement for assembly polls on May 10, he said a total of 1,786 polling stations will be manned by 2,826 policemen.
Around 2,152 polling parties have been formed and 2,152 presiding officers (including reserve) have been appointed. As many as 9,467 polling personnel will be on the duty. Around 32 Central Police Force companies have been provided by the Election Commission. Each of the mobile squads would cover one polling station every 15 minutes. Around 425 micro observers drawn from various central government departments have been deputed to 446 polling stations.
A total of 150 sectoral magistrates have been appointed for on-the-spot decision with respect to any law and order problems. He said all polling booths have been provided with water, shelters and ramp facilities.
Ban on sale of liquor
In the wake of elections, the ban on sale of liquor and section 144 would be in force from Thursday 5 pm till midnight May 10.
The Election Commission has deputed nine Election Observers for the constituencies coming under the Bangalore Urban district.