Mysuru/Mysore: The by-poll to MCC Ward 18, (Yadavagiri) held yesterday, saw a poor voter turnout as the Ward recorded a poll percentage of just 44.33 percent.

Out of the 11,877 eligible voters, only5,265, including 2,594 men and 2,671 women voters, cast their vote. The voting took place from 7 am to 5 pm on Sunday in 11 booths. The  voting began on a sedate note and picked up momentum later on. But voting dipped again in the afternoon, before picking up once again just after 4 pm. EVMs were used for voting.

The by-poll to the Ward, which is reserved for ST category, was necessitated after the High Court annulled the election of BJP Corporator Guru Vinayak over fake caste certificate row. The Ward covers Yadavagiri, Manjunathapura, Medar Block and Railway Quarters.

The BJP has fielded B.V. Ravindra, while  Ravindra Kumar is the Congress candidate and  Swamy is contesting from the JD(S). While the BJP is looking to retain the seat, the Congress and JD(S)are aiming to wrest the seat from the BJP.

The counting of votes will be taken up at Government Maharaja Sanskrit  College on Sayyaji Rao Road tomorrow morning and the results are expected to be declared by afternoon. Police personnel are providing tight security around the Counting Centre, where the EVMs are kept.