Polls become festivity without sheen, thanks to EC

With the poll show ending on Friday at 5 pm, political campaigning in coastal Karnataka this time was punctuated by a limited number of national and state leaders visiting the district, number of public rallies that could be counted on fingertips, absolutely no hint of any large sized publicity banners, unimpressive number of advertising content, disappearance of corner meetings, 'jatha' and procession-free campaigns, limited number of printing and distribution of pamphlets besides others.

The stricter approach deployed by the Election Commission this time has been the prime reason for this. The district administration is proud that it has been able to implement the vision of the Election Commission effectively. The method adopted to oversee the campaigning processes has been ideal this time, say many. But there is also the other camp which feels that the campaigning process could have been pepped up a bit more.

In a way the election campaigning processes have been carried out as per the directive of the officials and the Election Commission. In case of overseeing of the campaigning expenses too, the Election Commission's line has been toed. Election officials have seen to it that politicians do not dominate them at any stage.

Another interesting feature of this election season is that the election process itself obtained more publicity compared to publicity of politicians and political parties. Under the district administration, a widespread publicity campaign for election was carried out this time.

Ever since the announcement of election, this process was initiated by the district administration at all levels on a war footing. The SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) initiative of the Election Commission also helped big time.

While in the past, banners, cut-outs and all kinds of exterior publicity material was used by politicians and political parties, this time all these tools were used by the district administration and Election Commission to create awareness about the election process. The election process hogged limelight more than candidates this time.

Meanwhile, leaders from national and state level did descend to Dakshina Kannada district for campaigning. The list includes Sonia Gandhi, Narendra Modi, Brinda Karat, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Oscar Fernandes, Oommen Chandy, M Veerappa Moily, Ambika Soni, Dr. G Parameshwar B Janardhana Poojary and D V Sadananda Gowda. From the cinema world Ramya, Tara and Bhavana were seen campaigning in the district.