Around 46 % polling for phase-V in UP;12 caught using fake papers

Lucknow, Apr 28 (UNI) An estimated 46 per cent of the 1.59 crore electorate exercised their franchise today in the crucial fifth phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 57 constituencies spread across nine districts amid reports of some minor incidents.

With this, the fate of 850 candidates was locked in EVMs.

State chief electoral officer(CEO) Anuj Kumar Bishnoi said here that the polling was around 46 per cent with Lucknow (west) recording the lowest of 28 per cent votes and Jahanabad in Fatehpur the highest with 54 per cent.

''Polling was by and large peaceful with reports of some arrest made by the security personnel to prevent illegal voting'', he said.

Mr Bishnoi said Electronic Voting Machines(EVMs) were changed in 12 booths while 20 complaints were received during the day.

During the 2002 assembly polls, the polling percentage in these 57 constituencies was 53.65 per cent and during Lok Sabha elections in 2004 it was 43.1 per cent.

Altogether, three people were arrested in Kurebhag police station in Isauli assembly seat of Sultanpur district for violating norms while FIR has been registered against gram pradhan Mahesh Yadav in Unnao for trying to use fake ration card.

Nephew of BSP candiate Aditya Pandey was nabbed in Koh village under Jahanabad assembly constituency in Fatepur district for using fake ration card. In Sultanpur district one person was allegedly injured in a firing.

One person was arrested in Gauriganj assembly seat for trying to vote on a fake ration card.

In another incident, a gram pradhan was taken into custody in Malihabad assembly seat in Lucknow when he was trying to cast his vote with the help of a fake photo identity card.

A report from Pratapgarh said three people were caught red-handed while printing fake ration cards in Kunda assembly segement of Pratapgarh, while two others were arrested when they forcefully took away ration cards of some people in Garwaha seat.

There is also a report of some members of a particular political outfit beating up a woman in Mandhata area of Pratapgarh district during polling.

Meanwhile, deputy election commissioner J P Prakash airdashed to monitor the polling process in Chitrakoot which is also known as the domain of dacoit Dadua.

Voters of Bilbi village under Sandila assembly seat in Hardoi district and Rambakash village under Gauriganj assembly segement boycotted the polls for lack of development work in their area.

BJP president Rajnath Singh and BSP supremo Mayawati cast their votes in Lucknow(east) assembly seat this morning before they started their election campaign for the last two phases of the elections.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was expected to reach here to cast his vote, cancelled his visit following health problems.

(Eds: Here pick up suitably from earlier series).

UNI