LS polls: Over 63% voting in 6th phase; BJP candidate attacked in WB\, poll official beaten up in UP

LS polls: Over 63% voting in 6th phase; BJP candidate attacked in WB, poll official beaten up in UP

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

BJP candidate was attacked in and a was allegedly beaten up by an MLA of the saffron party in during the Lok Sabha poll's sixth and penultimate phase on Sunday in which over 63 per cent turnout was recorded in 59 seats across six states and the national capital.

With today's polling, votes have already been cast in nearly 89 per cent of the 543 constituencies, while the last phase of voting will take place on May 19 for the remaining 59 seats.

The (EC) said 63.48 per cent turnout across the states and Delhi, with recording over 80 per cent polling and registering just 60 per cent. In 2014, it was 63.37 per cent, it said.

The EC said the polling percentage was recorded at 9 pm.The figure is provisional and the figure may rise, it said.

Union ministers Radha Mohan Singh, and Maneka Gandhi, and leaders Digvijay Singh, and as also celebrity contestants Gautam Gambhir, Vijender Singh, Yadav 'Nirahua', and were among several prominent faces in the fray.

Delhi's saw a dip in its turnout from 65 per cent in 2014, despite a three-cornered contest among the BJP, and with several high profile candidates, while the EC also appeared disappointed at the low polling figure even after its enhanced efforts to draw the voters to polling booths.

Glitches in EVMs were reported in Delhi, and the other places where polling took place. However, poll officials said the voting machines were replaced. Over 1,200 VVPAT machines were changed across the city delaying the polling process.

Compared to 84.95 per cent in 2014, this time 80.35 per cent polling was recorded in eight seats in West Bengal, where BJP's Ghatal candidate and former IPS was attacked twice by local people when she tried to visit polling stations in her constituency.

Ghosh suffered minor injuries when a group of women allegedly attacked her when she tried to take a BJP agent inside a polling booth at Keshpur area, officials said.

Following this, bombs and stones were hurled towards her convoy when she was going to visit another booth at Dogachia in Keshpur. One of her security guards was injured and a vehicle was damaged, they said.

It is alleged that a was injured in firing by Ghosh's security officers at Dugachia, following which an FIR was registered against her and her security personnel.

BJP candidate also faces an FIR for allegedly causing law and order issues.

At least 26 people were injured in incidents of violence.Central forces also opened fire to control the situation at two places, they said.

In Uttar Pradesh, 54 per cent polling was reported in 14 constituencies. SP and are in the fray in the state that sends 80 members to Lok Sabha.

and her rival BSP candidate had a face-off in Sultanpur, with the warning him that hooliganism will not work. Singh dismissed her charge.

BJP MLA Dinanath Bhaskar and four others allegedly beat up a presiding in Badohi, accusing the of deliberately slowing the polling process.Poll officials have sought a report on the matter.

Akhilesh is trying to retain his father and SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav's seat against Bhojpuri film star 'Nirahua' of the BJP in Azamgarh.

In Bihar, around 59.38 per cent turnout was recorded for the eight seats.

A was killed at a booth in a freak incident of firing by a before polling started in Sheohar constituency.

recorded 69.50 per cent turnout in 10 Lok Sabha seats and officials said no untoward incident was reported and polling remained peaceful in the state.

However, Congress' Rohtak candidate Deepender Singh Hooda, who is seeking re-election for a fourth term, accused and Rohtak MLA of "intimidating" voters by forcibly entering some polling booths.

Grover, however, rejected the charge claiming that Deepender, who is the son of former CM Hooda, made baseless allegations in the face of "imminent defeat".

Union ministers and are among the 223 candidates in fray in

In Jharkhand, an estimated 65.17 per cent turnout was recorded for four Lok Sabha seat.Officials said no untoward incident was reported.

Madhya Pradesh, which recorded 64.01 per cent turnout, saw several heavyweights contesting the polls.Eight constituencies went to polls Sunday.

In Bhopal, Congress veteran was locked in a battle with BJP candidate and 2008 Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur.

Scindia, who is seeking re-election from Guna seat, is locked in a battle with BJP's K P Yadav.Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar, sitting from Gwalior, is contesting from Morena.

Over 10.17 crore people were eligible to decide the fate of 979 candidates.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Mon, May 13 2019. 00:45 IST