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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Feb 15, 2017, 08:23 PM IST
Polling is underway in 67 Assembly constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh in the second of seven phases and in 69 Assembly seats in Uttarakhand.
The ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pardesh had in 2012 won 34 of these seats spread across 11 districts. It has tied-up with Congress this time in the contest against BJP and BSP.
720 candidates are in the fray in this phase in UP with a maximum of 22 from Barhapur (Bijnor) and a minimum of four nominees from Dhanaura (Amroha). 2.28 crore people are eligible to vote, including over 1.04 crore women.
Prominent contestants include controversial SP minister Azam Khan and his son Abdullah Azam, who are contesting from Rampur and Swar seats respectively, Saif Ali Naqvi, son of former Congress MP Zafar Ali Naqvi, former central minister Jitin Prasada from Tilhar (Shahjahanpur), BJP Legislature Party leader Suresh Kumar Khanna from Shahjahanpur city and state minister Mehboob Ali from Amroha.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has gone all out to woo voters in Uttarakhand by holding several public meetings and roadshows on daily basis in perhaps the most crucial election of his career.
A total of 30,000 security personnel including 105 companies of central armed police force, 25 companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary, Uttarakhand police and the homeguards have been deployed. For the first time voter verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines will be used in these elections in Uttarakhand.
The BJP has been attacking the ruling parties in both the states over corruption. Modi raised the issue of demonetisation and surgical strikes repeatedly at his rallies.
Rs 3.38 Cr cash& 147 illegal weapons seized. 1.01 lakh litres liquor& 81.20kg drug substances also seized: EC #UttarakhandElections2017 pic.twitter.com/KTnUX2HlnX
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 15, 2017
Record Voter turnout in Uttarakhand - 68%
Uttarakhand - 628 candidates contested the polls, out of which 60 were females and two transgender.
Seized cash worth Rs.16.52 crores, 3.29 lakh litre liquor, 1.9 kg gold and drugs worth Rs. 1.16 crore: Vijay Dev, EC #uppolls pic.twitter.com/YzIpj6J8Vu
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 15, 2017
There was completely peaceful polling, no incident of violence or intimidation detected anywhere: EC #UttarakhandElections2017 pic.twitter.com/RzYskzyS0x
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 15, 2017
Uttar Pradesh - 65.5% voter turnout till 5 PM.
68% voting registered in Uttarakhand.
54.27 percent voter turnout recorded till 3 pm in second phase of polling #uttarpradeshpolls2017 pic.twitter.com/beBHSutHrX
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 15, 2017
53% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm in Uttarakhand Election2
Uttarakhand: 40 per cent voting till 1 PM.
Over 45 per cent turnout of voters was recorded till 2 PM in 67 Assembly constituencies
Uttar Pradesh
Over 25 per cent of the electorate cast their votes till noon in the second phase polling in 67 Assembly constituencies across 11 districts of western Uttar Pradesh.
"Polling is going on peacefully at all polling stations. We are keeping a close vigil. The poll percentage is likely to increase as the day proceeds," UP Chief Electoral Officer T Venkatesh said.
At certain places long queues were seen outside polling stations. First time voters were found to be enthusiastic, taking selfies proudly showing indelible ink imprint on their fingers.
⇒ 22% voter turnout recorded in Uttarakhand election till 11 AM.
⇒ 24.14% voter turnout recorded till 11 am in the second phase of Uttar Pradesh elections.
Urdu poet Wasim Barelvi casts his vote at polling booth no. 24 in Bareilly with his wife
Uttar Pradesh
⇒ 10.75% voter turnout recorded in Uttar Pradesh till 9 AM.
⇒ MoS Finance Santosh Gangwar casts his vote at polling booth no. 60 in Bareilly with wife Saubhagya Gangwar
⇒ Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi standing in queue to cast his vote at polling booth no. 303 in Rampur.
Uttarakhand
⇒ Polling underway at booth no 8 in Srinagar: BSP's Ganesh Prasad, BJP's Dr DS Rawat and INC's Ganesh Godiyal are contesting from this seat.
⇒ BJP's Uttarakhand president Ajay Bhatt casts his vote at polling booth no. 130 in Ranikhet
⇒ 6% polling percentage recorded in the first hour.
I have problem in my leg, its been almost half an hour and I am still waiting,machines not working: Voter at Moradabad polling booth no. 265
Polling had to begin at 7 AM, but they are still in process of setting up machines: Voter at Moradabad polling booth no. 265.
