Around 60 per cent voters exercised their franchise in 14 lok Sabha constituencies that went to polls on Wednesday. Voting in these constituencies spread over 17 districts of the central Uttar Pradesh was by and large peaceful barring minor clashes reported from Jhansi and Unnao.
Till 5 pm, Dhaurahra has recorded 62.80 per cent polling, Sitapur 59.40 per cent and Mishrikh 53.96 per cent. Unnao recorded 50.94 per cent polling, Mohanlalganj 56 per cent, lucknow 50.94 per cent, Rae Bareli 48.10 per cent Kanpur 50.20 per cent, Jalaun 52 per cent, Jhansi 63 per cent, Hamirpur 49.10 per cent, Banda 47.52 per cent, Fatehpur 54.58 per cent and Barabanki 58.19 per cent.
The polling percentage was 11.83 till 9 am, 24.78 at 11 am, 36.8 at 1 pm , 45.59 at 3 pm and 53.99 per cent at 5 pm. According to reports from Jhansi, Anirudh Sharma, son of BSP candidate Anuradha Sharma, was attacked by SP activists in Bamer area of Babina Assembly segment when he protested rigging in a booth. Sources said Anirudh sustained deep cut injury on his leg.
In Sitapur, an FIR was registered against SP MlA Rampal Yadav when he tried to forcefully enter a polling booth. Meanwhile, a sector magistrate on poll duty in Unnao died after a massive heart attack. Police said executive engineer of Unnao Development Authority, Bl Sharma (59), who was deployed as sector magistrate in Unnao Sadar Assembly segment, died due to heart attack.
Polling in the by-elections to Unnao and Fatehpur Assembly constituencies held simultaneously with the parliamentary elections also passed off peacefully. The voters tried to reach the booths as early as possible to avoid the scorching heat and the polling percentage fell as the sun rose high. According to sources in the election office here, around 60 per cent polling was reported on Wednesday.