Fate of 22 candidates sealed, 37% voting

ALLAHABAD: There was a sharp decline in voting percentage at Phulpur with only 37.39% people exercising their franchise in this Lok Sabha by-poll as compared to 2014 parliamentary elections that saw 50.19% voter turnout. Fate of 22 candidates has been sealed in the EVMs this by-election, the results for which will be declared on March 14.

The polling, which took off at a snail’s pace in first two hours with only 4.8% votes being cast between 7am and 9am, witnessed a steady increase in all five assembly constituencies— Allahabad North, Allahabad West, Soraon, Phulpur and Phaphamau—with an average polling percentage of 12% between 9am and 11am.

As per records made available by district election control room, the average polling percentage further increased after 11am with 19.2% votes cast between 11am and 1pm and 26.6% between 1pm and 3pm.

Assembly constituency-wise polling witnessed a sluggish trend in Allahabad North and Allahabad West constituencies from 7am to 9am while Phaphamau at 6.5% polling was the highest with Soraon following a close second with 6% voting during the corresponding period.

› The BSP’s support will ensure our victory in Phulpur. People have voted against the wrong policies of the BJP government. NAGENDRA SINGH PATEL, SP candidate from Phulpur

However, polling picked up in Phulpur assembly segment with a maximum of 25.3% votes being cast 11am to 1 pm. It touched the highest among all constituencies with 46.32% by 5 pm.

According to reports, malfunctioning of EVM was reported from polling booth number 144 of Parvezabad in Phulpur assembly constituency.

Assistant returning officer, Phulpur Satendra Nath Shukla said the VVPAT machine had stopped working and was changed immediately.

Similarly, due to low battery status, polling was reportedly affected for about an hour at Prathmik Vidyalaya, Lakhanpur in Kaudihar – II block on Sunday afternoon.

District magistrate/district election officer Suhas LY along with SSP Akash Kulhari along and senior officials continuously monitored proceedings.