Mysore/Mysuru: The urge to vote saw many staying abroad but having their roots in Mysuru and Mandya district flying back home spending several lakhs of rupees on air fare, for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections held yesterday.

Pallavi M. Kaushik, who is currently settled in Australia and daughter of K.R. Manjunath, a resident of J.P. Nagar in the city came home only to be a part of festival of democracy.

S. Bharadwaj, a IT Consultant at Sydney, Australia, displayed his conscience by being a part of electoral exercise. His parents reside near Kuvempu High School, on Kamakshi Hospital road, Kuvempunagar.

Chetana Malangi, daughter of Manjula of the city also came from London where she is pursuing her higher education at a university there.

Another Mysurean Akul Shivakumar, the first time voter came from Germany and exercised his franchise at the last minute. He was joyous after finding his name in the voter list and was finally relieved after getting his finger inked.

Sonika a native of Kalenahalli in Mandya went to London to work as IT Consultant 2 years ago. She said “I didn’t have any plans to come at this time of the year, but decided to come only to vote, spending Rs. 1.5 lakh on my travelling alone.”