Voters in several villages boycott polls

BENGALURU: Voters in several villages across the 14

Lok Sabha constituencies

that went to the polls on Tuesday did not cast their ballots for reasons as varied as seeking a

ban on sale of liquor

to lack of development and transport facilities.


Around 1,900 voters from 11 villages falling under

Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary Chapoli

, Chirekhani, Kapoli, Mudugai, Gavvali, Pastoli, Kongla, Krishnapur, Holda, Degaon and Talewadi boycotted elections in protest against the forest department for not allowing development works in their villages.

Under the wildlife Act, all development works are banned in wildlife sanctuaries due to which these villages do not have proper roads, power supply and other basic amenities. Authorities on their part did try to pacify the agitating voters, but in vain.

In many villages in Raichur, people boycotted polling while demanding a ban on liquor and availability of basic amenities.

Voters in Mamadadoddi, Jagir Venkatapura, Sultanapur, Muranpur, B Yadlapura, Kallur, Sankanur and Gonal village did not turn up at polling booths till 3pm.

Though some people did cast their votes in the evening, they reportedly all voted for NOTA.

In Shiggalu village situated on the banks of the backwaters of Sharavathi river in Sagar taluk in Shivamogga, around 340 voters boycotted elections in protest against authorities for not providing a launch (an open boat) for their daily transport.

In Katakanur village in Ramadurga taluk in Belagavi Lok Sabha seat, around 150 dalits boycotted election protesting the social boycott they are facing from upper caste people in the village.

But after persuasion by the authorities, they changed their mind.