Bengaluru empties on poll eve, will vote count dip again?

Bengaluru: A day ahead of voting, roads in the city wore a deserted look, increasing apprehension among politicians and NGOs that the city might again record a low voting percentage. Resident welfare associations and NGOs had taken up campaigns to dissuade Bengalureans from leaving the city because of the long weekend and to postpone their vacations till the voting day is over. 

Mr Sadik Alam, a photographer and first-time voter in Karnataka, said, "I am voting for the first time in the state and it is sad to see many leaving the city to enjoy their holidays, without worrying about the low voting percentage, which could work to the advantage of some politicians, who would take the residents for a ride for the next five years."

A manager from a resort in Ooty, on condition of anonymity, said that their resort is running full till May 25. "We have many guests from Karnataka who are here to spend the summer vacations. We also have a flower show this month which attracts many tourists," he said.

A resident of Tavarekere, Mr Santosh Murthy, said that many voters have left for their hometowns to cast votes. "It is not that everyone has left to enjoy their vacations. There are many who have left to vote in their villages. We should hope for a high voter turnout this year," he said.

The state had 4.37 crore voters in 2013 and it has increased to 4.97 crore this election, as per the Election Commission records.