More than 70% electors turn out to vote in Madhya Pradesh

Probably the highest turnout ever reaching more than 70% sealed fate of more than two thousand candidates in electronic voting machines (EVMs) in 230-seat assembly elections today.

Barring stray incidents of violence, security force firing, boycott of elections and a probably re-poll on one booth, the polling was reportedly peaceful.

“Except for one booth in Rewa probably, re-polling is not required anywhere in Madhya Pradesh. The polling was peaceful across 53,000 polling booths,” said Jaideep Govind, chief electoral officer adding, “The turnout is expected more than 70% as reports have yet to come from various polling stations. The turnout in 2008 was between 65-68%.”

As polling came to an end, Hoshangabad district reported 83% voting while Satna reported 56% or the lowest. “We expect it to reach 75% as reports will pour in and it indicates polling was peaceful in the state.”

A firing incident took place between Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress activists, Govind informed, but none was reported injured and there was no interruption to polling.

“Similarly Morena also reported a skirmish between Congress and Bahujan Samajwadi Party activists but there was no interruption in polling. A CRPF personnel however opened fire when unidentified persons tried to snatch EVMs in Nayapura polling station in Sumawali of Morena district. Two persons have been injured in the incident,” he informed further.

As many as sixteen polling booth have reported 100 percent boycott of poll in Raisen, Umaria, Ratlam, Morena, Damoh, Rajgarh, Betul, Vidisha, Chhatarpur, Seoni and Chhindwara in protest against poor road condition.

Also nearly 30 polling stations reported technical failure in EVMs. “We immediately replaced the EVMs and there was no interruption.”

A case under section 353 (interfering in government work) has been lodged against BJP candidate and cabinet minister Ranjana Baghel, the CEC informed.