UP polls: Around 58 percent polling in fifth phase

Lucknow: Around 58 per cent of the 1 crore 81 lakh voters in 51 Assembly constituencies, covering 11 districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, today exercised their franchise to seal the fate of 607 candidates, including 40 women, in the fifth phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. The polling was by and large peaceful with sporadic incidents of clashes, police officials here said.

Election Commission officials affirmed that polling was peaceful and till 0900 hrs, it was 10.78 per cent, which rose to around 16 per cent till 1000 hrs, at 1300 hrs, it was 38.12 per cent and at 1500 hours, it was 49.19 per cent.

As per the indication, the poll percentage could be around 58 per cent in these 51 seats and it could rise further as in several booths, voters were still in queue, when polling ended at 1700 hrs, sources said. In 2012, the voting average in these 51 seats was 57.09 per cent and in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, it was 55.58 per cent. (UNI)