Third phase of Lok Sabha Elections see large voter turnouts in states of Haryana, Delhi and violence hit Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh
Even the violence hit states of Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh, showed encouraging polling even amid violence and conflict.
In Haryana, 35% of its 1.61 crore electorate, exercised their franchise during the first six hours of voting for the 10 Lok Sabha seats from the state, officials said.
Delhi, on the other hand, saw over 40% polling at 1 pm. Voters came out in large numbers in Ghaziabad where of its 22.64 lakh voters, about 35% voted.
Kerala, at noon, saw 38% of its eligible populace casting their votes.
Violence and conflict, not a deterrentEven though states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh were faced with violent attack and Naxal crossfires, Bihar's voting percentage was at 32%.
Bihar's six constituencies account for over 94 lakh voters in many of its Maoists affected constituencies. Two Central Reserve Police Force troopers were killed in the landmine blast in Munger district when they were on way to a polling station in neighbouring Jamui parliamentary constituency. The blast was triggered by rebels near Sawa Lakh Baba Mandir, close to Bhimbandh forest in Munger, about 175 km from here.
Jharkhand saw around 36% of electors in the first six hours of polling for four Lok Sabha seats.
In Chhattisgarh, a Naxal was gunned down late last night and another injured in an encounter with security forces in Sukma district.
On the other hand, states such as Madhya Pradesh and Maharaashtra saw relatively small numbers. Madhya Padesh recorded 25% voting while Maharashtra recorded a meager 10% voting, at noon.