Bhatkal: Bhatkal Agriculture and Rural Development Cooperative Bank, commonly referred to as PLD Bank, a prominent financial institution in the Uttara Kannada district, held its governing body members' election on Sunday under the vigilant supervision of tight police security.

The voting process, held across 16 polling booths, took place within the premises of The New English School, adjacent Vidyabharati School, and Kamalavati Ramnath hall of the taluk. 

Voter Turnout and Arrangements:
Voters began arriving at the polling booths on Sunday morning, with a turnout reminiscent of general elections. A considerable number of voters thronged the polling locations, where candidates and their respective supporters gathered in sizable groups, actively soliciting votes. The presence of Bhatkal Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Srikant and CPI Gopal Chandan's staff contributed to maintaining an atmosphere of calm and security.

Challenges and Verbal Clashes:
However, the day was not without its challenges. Many shareholder members encountered difficulty in locating their designated polling booths, leading to confusion among the voters. Throughout the morning, numerous individuals wandered around while clutching their identity cards, expressing frustration at being unable to vote. A notable incident occurred when a candidate, accompanied by supporters, confronted the bank's general manager at a polling station, resulting in a chaotic situation. This altercation prompted a verbal exchange between the candidate's supporters and those from the opposing group. In response, Returning Officer Bhaskar Naik and CPI Gopal Chandan, accompanied by additional police personnel, intervened to de-escalate the situation. Former MLA Sunil Naik, a candidate himself, attempted to clarify the circumstances surrounding the uproar.

Court-Ordered Changes and Disqualifications:
The Bhatkal Agriculture and Rural Development Cooperative Bank boasts a total membership count of 11,103 individuals. Of these, 1,469 members were deemed eligible voters, comprising 1,225 borrowers and 244 non-borrowers. However, a significant number of voters, totaling 8,693, were disqualified due to various reasons such as arrears, incomplete shares, and absence from general meetings, including members residing beyond the bank's working area.

Notably, 4,821 voters pursued legal recourse and obtained the right to vote following a High Court order. Furthermore, the High Court also granted voting privileges to 395 shareholder members out of the 938 non-borrower members who were initially disqualified from voting.

Counting of Votes and Pending Court Orders:
In light of these developments, the bank awaits further instructions from the court concerning ineligible voters. The exact date for the counting of votes will be determined as per the court's future directives.