Lucknow, April 7
A lackluster campaign was reflected in a low 45 per cent turnout in the first phase of polling today in Uttar Pradesh. No violence was reported from any of the 62 constituencies spread over 13 districts of central Uttar Pradesh.
These constituencies had reported 52 per cent polling during the 2002 elections.
While the highest polling percentage of 56.83 per cent was today reported from Mehraumi in Lalitpur district of Bundelkhand the lowest turnout was at Agra West where a mere 32 per cent of voters used their franchise.
Both Bharthana and Jaswant Nagar in Etawah district from where Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and brother Shivpal Singh Yadav are contesting reported 52 per cent of voting.
Addressing mediapersons chief electoral officer A.K. Bishnoi confirmed that the EC received 37 complaints today. They mainly pertained to names not being found on the electoral rolls, problems with identification documents and some other similar problems.
Principal Secretary Home K Chandramauli said that one complaint of non-electoral nature was received from Jasrana in Firozabad. Here a young woman complained of eve teasing as she emerged out of the polling station.
Of the 18,300 electronic voting machines (EVMs) used some 105 developed snags during the day and were immediately replaced.
Commenting on the low turn out of voters Bishnoi said that the EC had created a conducive atmosphere for voters to cast their vote. “It is entirely up to them to opt to cast or not to cast their vote. At least we ensured that bogus votes were not cast”. Polling concluded peacefully with no suspension being reported from anywhere, maintained Bishnoi.
