UP bypolls: Over 41 % polling recorded till 3 pm

Amid tight security and special arrangements for COVID-19, polling is underway for the by-polls to seven assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh.

Lucknow:With leaders across all parties appealing to voters in the seven Assembly constituencies where polling is being held for by-elections on Tuesday, to vote in large numbers, the polling percentage hovered around an average of 41 per cent till 3 pm.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, state BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP Chief Mayawati urged voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers.

Meanwhile, Naugawan Sadat in Amroha -- the constituency that fell vacant following the death of state minister Chetan Chauhan -- recorded a voter turnout of 23 per cent at 11.a.m, while Deoria recorded 18 per cent turnout.

Ghatampur and Tundla witnessed a 14 and 17 per cent turnout respectively, and Bangarmau was at 20 per cent. Malhani ranked lower at 15 per cent and Bulandshahr recorded 19 per cent voter turnout.

Some villages in Tundla and Bangarmau announced that they were boycotting the by-elections due to lack of development, but local officials convinced them and later the villagers agreed to vote.

Meanwhile, polling officials have ensured that safety protocols are strictly following at polling stations.

IANS Report