Stray violence,boycott in some villages

An estimated 50 per cent voters exercised their franchise in 18 Lok Sabha constituencies in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh...

An estimated 50 per cent voters exercised their franchise in 18 Lok Sabha constituencies in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. Mathura recorded the highest turnout at 53 per cent while Agra saw the lowest at 41.5 per cent.

According to UPs Chief Electoral Officer Anuj Bishnoi,initial reports suggest the turnout was 48 per cent,but the actual figure may touch 50 per cent. He said barring stray incidents of violence,the polling went off peacefully in all the 18 constituencies spread over 20 districts.

Minor clashes were reported from Kairana,Muzaffar Nagar,Mainpuri,Etah and Kannauj. Polling at two booths in Etah constituency was disrupted for some time by a group of supporters of a particular party. The CEO said he has asked for a report from the District Magistrate and a repoll is likely to be ordered by the Election Commission.

In Muzaffarnagar,Jats and Dalits clashed at Dhaurala village,while at Gura village in Kairana constituency,police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse rioting BSP and BJP supporters near a polling booth.

On reports of violence in Mathura district,the CEO said he has asked for a report from the District Magistrate on complaints that BSP candidate Shyam Sunder Sharma tried to distribute money to the electorate in a village. The locals reportedly attacked the supporters of the BSP candidate and damaged his vehicle.

According to the CEO,the voter turnout in Mainpuri was 49 per cent,Baghpat 46.5 per cent,Ghaziabad 46.4 per cent,Fatehpur Sikri 52 per cent and Etah 47 per cent.

Kairana recorded 50 per cent,Muzaffar Nagar 51 per cent,Meerut 51.6 per cent,Gautam Buddha Nagar 47.3 per cent,Bullandshahr-46 per cent,Aligarh 39 per cent,Hathras 43.6 per cent,Ferozabad 45 per cent,Farrukhabad 43 per cent,Etawah 49.6 per cent and Kannauj 51 per cent.

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In Etah district,Muslim voters refused to cast their votes in 13 of the 14 booths in Bhargain town in protest against the neglect by government agencies. Former BJP chief minister Kalyan Singh is in the fray in Etah as an Independent candidate,supported by the Samajwadi Party.

Polling was also boycotted in some booths in Farrukhabad and Etawah districts in protest against lack of basic amenities,like power,water and roads.