Western UP Sees Over 60% Turnout in Lok Sabha Polls First Phase

A voter turnout of over 60% was recorded in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in eight western Uttar Pradesh seats. The Election Commission reported 65.95% voting in Saharanpur, 61.91% in Pilibhit, 61.17% in Kairana, 60.60% in Moradabad, 59.54% in Nagina, 59.29% in Muzaffarnagar, 58.21% in Bijnor, and 54.77% in Rampur. The overall voter turnout was 60.25%. A total of 1.43 crore people were eligible to cast their vote in this phase of polls in the state.Voting at most polling stations was completed by 6 pm. Uttar Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said the polling was peaceful and no untoward incidents were reported. Rinwa also mentioned that 50 ballot units, 50 control units, and 152 VVPATs were changed following complaints from various districts.In some areas of Pilibhit district, residents announced a poll boycott as a protest against the lack of civic amenities. However, following assurances from the local administration, the villagers cast their votes.Samajwadi Party candidate Harendra Singh Malik alleged booth capturing at a village in Muzaffarnagar district and urged the Election Commission to deploy paramilitary personnel there. District Election Officer Aravind Mallappa Bangari denied the allegation.A total of 80 candidates -- 73 men and seven women -- are in the fray in the first phase. The ruling BJP has joined hands with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), while the SP has allied with the Congress in this election. The Bahujan Samaj Party has decided to go solo.To ensure fool-proof security, thousands of inspectors, sub-inspectors, constables, home guard personnel, along with companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary and Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed.