In Pics: Thousands come out to vote in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh

After a slow start, voting picked up steadily in the hill state of Uttarakhand. 54.27 percent voter turnout was recorded till 3 pm in the second phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh.

Thousands came out of their homes to cast their votes in the states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. People waited patiently in long queues to chose a new government in their respective states. In Uttarakhand the contest is mainly between the ruling Congress and the BJP, while in Uttar Pradesh it is three cornered contest between SP-Congress alliance, BSP and BJP.

After a slow start, voting picked up steadily in the hill state across 69 of the 70 constituencies. 54.27 percent voter turnout was recorded till 3 pm in second phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh.

The main constituencies polling today include Bijnor, Moradabad, Lakhimpur Kheri among others. Here are some photos of voters in both the states:

Voters queue up in Haridwar

Voters waiting in line to cast their vote during Uttarakhand assembly election in Haridwar. PTI Photo.

Voters queue in Moradabad

Voters stand in queue to cast their vote during the second phase of UP assembly polls in Moradabad. PTI Photo

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stands in line to cast his vote

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stands in line to cast his vote during the second phase of UP assembly elections in Rampur. PTI Photo.

Burqa clad voters

Voters clad in burqa show their inked finger after casting their vote during the second phase of UP assembly polls in Moradabad. PTI Photo.

Saints queue up to vote

Saints of Juna Akhara stand in line to cast their vote during Uttarakhand assembly election in Haridwar. PTI Photo

A newly-wed couple showing their inked fingers

A newly-wed couple showing their inked fingers after casting their votes during the second phase of UP assembly elections in Bareilly. PTI Photo

Senior citizen casts vote

Two men help a senior citizen to cast his vote during the second phase of UP assembly elections in Saharanpur. PTI Photo