Mangalore : Voting for the urban local body polls commenced on a peaceful note  for the 60 wards in the Mangalore City Corporation as well as for electing representatives for the six local administrative bodies in the district on March 7. The voting which began at 7 am will be held till 5 pm.

In Mangalore a total of 243 candidates are in fray for the  60 wards, while a total of 677 candidates are in fray for elections  being held for the Ullal, Moodbidri, Bantwal, Puttur, Belthangady and Sullia local bodies.

In Bantwal, senior Congress leader and former union minister too exercised his franchise in a polling booth. He was earlier seen standing in te queue waiting for his turn to cast the vote.

Several senior citizens were spotted waiting in the queue enthusiastically in some booths to cast their votes. The district administration has taken all precautionary measures to ensure free and fair elections.