The polls in seven states and two union territories will see nearly 139 million voters who will decide the electoral fate of over 1,200 candidates who are in the fray for 89 Lok Sabha seats.
Brisk Polling in Parts of Telangana in Initial Hours
Brisk polling was reported in parts of Telangana in the initial hours of election today as an air of expectancy enveloped the region that is soon going to be 29th state of the country. Governor E S L Narasimhan and Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal were among the first to cast their votes as polling began at 7 AM on a peaceful note in 17 Lok Sabha and 119 Assembly constituencies across ten districts of Telangana, amid unprecedented security. Bhanwar Lal told reporters that "by 9 AM, 15.3 per cent voters had cast their ballots.
Enthusiasm was writ large on people's faces as they queued up at polling stations since 7 AM today to exercise their franchise. A group of youngsters was the first to reach the polling station at City Central Library under Musheerabad Assembly constituency in Hyderabad to cast votes for the first time. More
Nearly 44 per cent Poll Recorded Till 11 am in Bengal
Nearly 44 per cent voters in nine Parliamentary constituencies of West Bengal cast their votes till 11 AM in the third phase of the Lok Sabha polls in the state.
"About 44 per cent polling was recorded on an average in the first four hours of polling in nine Lok Sabha constituencies of Howrah, Uluberia, Serampore, Hooghly, Arambagh, Burdwan (East), Burdwan-Durgapur, Bolpur and Birbhum," state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sunil Gupta said. More
About 19 per cent Polling on Seven Seats in Bihar Till 10 am
Around 19 per cent polling was recorded till 10 AM in seven Lok Sabha seats of Bihar in the fourth phase of Parliamentary election in the state.
A total of 18.88 per cent polling was recorded at Madhepura constituency where JD(U) President Sharad Yadav is in the fray. More
Nearly 25 per cent Voting Recorded in UP Till 11 am
Nearly 25 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the first four hours in Uttar Pradesh, where polling is underway in 14 seats to decide the fate of 233 candidates.
UP Governor B L Joshi, BSP supremo Mayawati, Congress candidate from Lucknow Rita Bahuguna Joshi, BJP national president Rajnath Singh and party leader Kalraj Mishra were among those who exercised their franchise. More
Polling Begins to Pick Up in Srinagar
Polling started picking up in most parts of the central Kashmir's Srinagar parliamentary constituency, but remained sluggish in the city here which recorded 5.14 per cent in the first four hours.
The constituency spread over three districts of Budgam, Srinagar and Ganderbal comprises of 15 assembly constituencies.
Srinagar recorded a poll percentage of 5.14 till 11 am, an official spokesman said here. More
Despite Soaring Heat, Good Turnout in Gujarat
Brisk polling was recorded in most parts of Gujarat Wednesday despite soaring temperatures, as electors trooped out to exercise their franchise.
According to election officials, the state notched up a healthy 22 percent polling by 11 a.m.
Vadodara, from where Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is contesting, recorded a whopping 32 percent in the first four hours of balloting. More
14% Polling in Punjab Till 10 am; Minor Clashes in Moga
Around 14 per cent voters exercised their franchise till 10 AM in 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab where minor clashes broke out between Akali Dal and Congress workers in Moga and Amritsar.
The polling process started on a sedate note, but gradually picked up as the day progressed with voters lining up outside several polling booths, including in Patiala and Amritsar, to cast their vote, an election office spokesman said. More
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