Udupi  : A voter turnout of 71.65 per cent was recorded for the Gram Panchayat (GP) elections in Udupi district on Friday according to the final figures provided by the district administration here. The polling was by and large peaceful in the district.

The voter turnout in the three taluks were as follows: Udupi 70.55 per cent, Kundapur 71.19 per cent, and Karkala 74.93 per cent.

As many as 4,740 candidates are in the fray for 2,126 GP seats in the district.

K. Annamalai, Superintendent of Police, told that polling was peaceful in the district barring minor skirmishes in few places.

Polling began on a brisk note in the 54 naxal-affected polling stations of the district, where there was tight security. In fact by 11.30 a.m., over 50 per cent of the voters had exercised their franchise.

The voters braved the moderate rain in some parts of the district and stood in queues at the polling stations to cast their votes. Though there was a lull in voting in some areas in the afternoon where rainfall got heavy, the turnout picked up after the rain subsided.

The old and young voters alike showed enthusiasm in voting. Mohammed Beary (84) and his wife Ameenabi (70), who came to vote at the polling station in Athrady, said that they never missed voting in a single election. “I will keep voting till my death. Everyone should vote. It is a very important right,” Mr. Beary said.

Thembdi Bai (69), who belongs to the Kudubi tribal community, cast her vote at the Government Lower Primary School polling station in Kusady hamlet in Kundapur taluk, said that she had never missed voting in elections.

Harshitha (19), a first time voter and a final year B.Sc. student, said that she was delighted to cast her vote at the Board High School booth in Hiriyadka. “This is the first time I am voting. I hope good candidates will win and work for the welfare of the gram panchayat. There is lot of water problem in Hiriyadka, the winners should tackle it and provide better facilities to people,” she said.