UP polls fifth phase sees 57% turnout in late surge

MOSTLY HARMLESS Minor incidents of violence, problems with voting machines reported; turnout likely to surpass 2012

An estimated 57% of the voters exercised their franchise till 5 pm on Monday in the fifth phase of polling for 51 of 52 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh with the focus particularly on Amethi and Faizabad.

The polling 12 districts started on a slow note in the morning but gradually picked up as the day passed. The turnout figure was 38.12% at 1 pm.

Congress candidate Ameeta Sinh visited a polling booth with her husband Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Sinh to cast her vote in Amethi. Garima Singh, first wife of Sinh, too visited the polling booth with supporters to vote. Garima is also contesting the Amethi seat.

A controversy erupted after BJP and BSP leaders said UP minister Gayatri Prajapati, another candidate for the Amethi seat, forced his entry into the booth. The district returning officer said an inquiry has been ordered.

The family of Ram Prakash, who died on Sunday night, stopped by the polling station to cast their vote before taking the body for cremation.

The fate of 607 candidates – 567 men and 40 women — will be decided in Monday’s polling. State assembly speaker Mata

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REUTERS A sadhu shows his inked finger after casting his vote in Ayodhya on Monday.