Over 45 per cent polling for phase-V in UP

Lucknow, Apr 28: Over 45 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 under unprecedented security cover.

Reports of minor incidents were also reported with the arrest of one person in Gauriganj assembly seat for trying to vote on a fake ration card.

The incident occurred at booth no-231 in Sheikhpura Patharpur village when the central para military(CPMF) personnel arrested the person with 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.

State additional Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Devesh Chaturvedi told sources here that till 1500 hrs, 32.8 per cent of the voters had used their franchise.

The poll percentage till 1700 hrs would be over 45 per cent, Mr Chaturvedi said.

''No untoward incident has been reported so far even though reports of technical snags in Electronic Voting Machines(EVMs) were received from some places,'' he said.

Till 1100 hours, the voting percentage was 15.01 per cent while till 1200 hrs, it was around 19 per cent.

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

''The deputy EC has reached the Manikpur constituency in Chitrakoot district and later, he is also expected in nearby Naraini seat where family members of dacoits are constesting'', said a senior EC official.

In the state capital, long queues were being witnessed particularly in the old city areas.

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 works 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 campaigning for the last two phases of the elections.

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was expected to reach here to cast his vote, has cancelled his visit following health problem.

UNI