Final phase recorded highest hike of 2% in poll percentage: CEO
LUCKNOW: The seventh phase of polling in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh passed off peacefully on Sunday with 56.84% voters exercising their franchise.
Addressing a press conference, Uttar Pradesh chief electoral officer (CEO) L Venkateshwar Lu said 54.96% votes were polled in the 2014 general election in the 13 constituencies that went to the polls in the last phase.
“The final phase recorded highest increase of 2% in the poll percentage in comparison to the 2014 Lok Sabha election,” he said.
The increase in poll percentage in constituencies located in the east UP, considered to be a low voter turnout zone, came as a relief for the Election Commission. “Our effort to motivate voters to exercise their franchise rights paid dividends,” he said.
In comparison to 2014 general election, polling percentage increased in Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Bansgaon, Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Mirzapur and Robertsganj. The polling percentage declined in Kushinagar, Chandauli.
In Varanasi, the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there was a marginal fall in polling percentage from 58.25% in 2014 to 58.05% in Sunday’s polling.
In Gorakhpur, the constituency won by chief minister Yogi Adityanath in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the polling percentage increased from 54.65% to 57.38%.
“Stray incidents of brawl between the supporters of various political parties were reported in Chandauli. The district administration has lodged FIR against anti-social elements involved in the clash,” he said.
In comparison to earlier phases, the glitches in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and VVPAT was fewer in the seventh phase.
During polling, EVMs (150 ballot units/150 control units) and 334 VVPATs were changed.
The cases of boycott of polling was reported in Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kushinagar, Ghosi, Robertsganj, Deoria and Mirzapur over the issue of construction of roads, bridges and installation of hand pumps.
“The district administration officers reached the village to hold talks with the voters and convinced them to exercise their right to franchise,” the CEO said.