65 percent voting in 2nd phase of UP Panchayat polls

Lucknow: An average of 65 percent polling was registered in the second phase of Uttar Pradesh Panchayat polls on Tuesday, with 21 booths set for re-polling.

In the second phase, covering 208 development blocks, an average 65 per cent votes were polled, State Election Commissioner (SEC) S K Agarwal told reporters here this evening.

The SEC said minor incidents were reported from Jaunpur, Bagpath, Mizapur, Sitapur, Etah, Meerut, Badaun, Jalaun and Azamgarh, but no major disturbance was reported.

He said re-poll would be held at 21 polling booths in 10 districts for different reasons.

"While re-polling will be held at seven places due to technical problems, at 14 places it was due to law and order issue," he said.

Agarwal said there were reports of bogus voting at a few places and complaints of pouring water into ballot boxes.

He said re-poll in Etah has been demanded at two places, regarding which a report has been sought from the district magistrate.

Around 2.87 crore electorate were eligible to exercise their franchise in this phase. The turnout in this phase is slightly higher than that in the first phase held on October 9 which had registered 63.8 per cent turn out, the SEC said.

He said while 12,833 candidates were in fray for 785 posts of zila panchayat members in this phase, 1.03 lakh candidates were trying their luck for 19,520 posts of kshetra Panchayat members.

The SEC said two election officers died of heart attack, one each at Bulandshahr and Lakhimpur and a compensation of Rs 5 lakh would be given to their kin.

To ensure free, fair and peaceful polling 140 companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and 28 those of central forces were deployed.