60% voting in 2nd phase Karnataka polls

Around 60 per cent of an estimated 1.10 crore electorate exercised their franchise in the 2nd phase of polling in 66 constituencies across 10 districts in Karnataka on Friday in almost trouble free atmosphere, amid unprecedented security cover.
The security has been tightened in the light of yesterday’s poll-related violence in which naxalites shot dead two persons in Hebri in Udupi district and also some clashes between Congress and BJP workers in Bellary.
More than 56,000-strong security personnel’s presence acted as a deterrent to trouble makers and also to naxal outfits which had given a call to voters to boycott polling in the districts of Udupi, Chikmagalur and Shimoga. Every polling station in areas which faced the threat was turned into a fortress by security men and voters turned up in good numbers defying the boycott call.