Page 277 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Spotlight on Recent Elections Chapter 12

Election officials of a polling station in 75- Kalaghatagi constituency dressed up to celebrate the festival of democracy

Karnataka Remote Sensing Application Centre developed
Kodagu (Coorg) District Administration was in the news a mobile App viz. Chunavana whereby voters could
for its imaginative voter awareness programme. Working access all necessary information related to these
in tandem with Kodagu District Voter Education and elections. The App could be used for aged and PwD voters
Participation Committee of SVEEP, it brought out more to book wheelchair and pick up facilities.
than 50 posters on voter awareness. On May Day, despite To oversee the entire election process, Election
adverse weather forecast in the rain-prone district, Commission of India deployed 120 General Observers, 37
hundreds of people gathered at General immaiah Police Officers, 145 Expenditure Observers and 224
Stadium in Madikeri. ey congregated in 'I VOTE' Counting Observers. Karnataka, as a major battle ground
formation on the ground, which was lit up by flashing the state, which witnesses tough triangular contests, the
lights of their mobile phone aer the sunset. A 'run for election campaign was bound to be stormy. As the poll
vote' was also organised in Munadu village of Madikeri. day approached, the political debates intensified. On
What took the cake, however, was the mini aero show May 2, Election Commission of India took serious view of
organised by the Kodagu District Administration. the deteriorating level of campaigning; and issued
Remote Controlled or RC planes of various shapes, sizes advisory to all recognised national and state political
and colours were on display. A huge crowd gathered to parties to observe caution and exercise restraint in their
witness the show despite the blazing sun. utterances. The Commission, in its advisory, referred to
relevant provisions of the Model Code of Conduct while

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