Bhatkal: The triennial elections to Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem, regarded as one of the oldest and largest social organisations in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district, have witnessed a major generational shift, with more than 50 per cent new faces elected to the Tanzeem’s executive body.

Observers said the polls marked one of the biggest leadership changes in the Tanzeem’s history, with a large number of young members securing representation in the new executive committee. The development is being viewed as a sign of growing preference for a more active and youth-driven leadership within the organisation.

Polling for eight constituencies was held simultaneously across different parts of Bhatkal on May 12, through which 24 executive members were elected, while 20 members from seven constituencies were elected unopposed.

Constituency No. 14 witnessed the keenest contest, with 10 candidates vying for five seats. At the polling booth set up at Al-Falah Sports Centre in Kargede, 175 of the 232 eligible members cast their votes, recording a turnout of 75.43 per cent.

Constituency No. 2, the largest constituency in Bhatkal this year with 246 members, had its polling booth at the Tanzeem Hall, where 124 members exercised their franchise to elect five representatives.

Five polling booths were set up at the Tanzeem office building, leading to intense election activity and continuous movement of members throughout the day. Three additional polling booths were also arranged at the Rabita Society office building, though comparatively lower turnout and crowding were witnessed there.

As part of the elections to the 132-member executive body, 44 representatives were elected from various constituencies in Bhatkal, while lists of elected members from different parts of India and abroad have also been submitted to the Election Commissioner.

Election Commissioner Mohiddin Altaf Kharuri said a significant number of newly inducted members from Bhatkal and other regions had become part of the new executive body. The large-scale inclusion of first-time members has generated fresh enthusiasm among the Tanzeem’s members and supporters, he said.

Observers believe the century-old Tanzeem is now expected to further strengthen its social, educational and welfare initiatives and play a more active role in addressing community issues in the coming years.

At the conclusion of the election process, Kharuri announced the names of the winning candidates and appreciated the efforts made to conduct the polls in a systematic and computerised manner. He also thanked final-year students of Anjuman Engineering College, particularly Syed Safwan Peerzade and Mohammed Azan Peshmam, for designing the voting application used during the elections.

An 18-member student team remained on duty from 9 am to 7 pm to ensure the smooth and orderly conduct of the entire election process.