As polling begins in mega state of UP, PM Modi, Shah have this to say

New Delhi, Feb 10: Pehle matdan, Phil jalpan is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message as voting began for the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Today is the first phase of voting in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. I request all the voters to participate enthusiastically in this holy festival of democracy by following the rules of COVID-19. Remember - Vote first, then refreshments, the PM's tweet in Hindi read.

Today is the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh. I appeal to all the brothers and sisters of this phase to vote in maximum numbers to elect a government that will give you security, respect and good governance along with development in the state. Your one vote is the basis of bright future of Uttar Pradesh, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah tweeted.

The battle for Uttar Pradesh began on Thursday with polling at 58 assembly seats spread across 11 districts in the western part of the state. Polling started at 7.00 AM and will continue till 6.00 PM, officials of the state election commission said.

Polling will be held in 7 phases in UP. In the first phase, 58 assembly constituencies from eleven districts will go to poll on February 10.

Jats are the dominant community in western UP. Eight seats of Agra-Aligarh divisions and 18 seats of Meerut-Saharanpur divisions are well represented by the Jat community.

In 2017, the BJP bagged 53 of the 58 seats, while the SP and the BSP had got two seats each. One seat had gone to the RLD.

People form queues at booth number 299 - at Public Inter College - in Kairana as voting for the first phase of Uttar Pradesh Elections begins.

We've set up 6 booths- 374-379; covering sectors of Raj Nagar. Necessary COVID measures have been taken. Thermal screening will be done at gates. We have also kept the school cameras off: Poonam Yadav, Sector Magistrate