Four killed in fourth phase

Turnout estimated at 57%.

The fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections witnessed an average voter turnout of 57 per cent today that was marked by four deaths caused by poll violence, three of them in West Bengal, the Election Commission (EC) said.

The highest voting in the penultimate round of elections in 85 constituencies was reported from West Bengal, at 75 per cent, while Delhi saw 50 per cent voters exercising their franchise.

Among the eight states that went to polls today, Haryana and Punjab had a high turnout of 63 and 65 per cent, respectively, while Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan reported 50 per cent voting each. Bihar saw a turnout of 37 per cent and Jammu and Kashmir reported 24 per cent. The Election Commission said the turnout in Kashmir was better compared with the 18.57 per cent in 2004 and 11.93 per cent in 1999.

Among the three deaths reported from West Bengal, one was reported from Murshidabad where a voter returning from the polling station was attacked by a member of a political party. The second incident took place in Asansol where a member of a political party hurled a bomb at a polling station, resulting in a voter’s death. The third incidence of violence in Bengal was reported from Nandigram where a member of a political party was shot dead. The Commission said three persons have been arrested and details have been sought from the chief electoral officer. The fourth death took place when paramilitary personnel opened fire to prevent a mob from capturing a booth at Olwara village in Rajasthan’s Sawaimadhopur district.

Polling went off rather peacefully in volatile Uttar Pradesh, where one of the incidents of conflict involved Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav, who objected to a CRPF personnel being posted close to a polling station. The CPPF also objected to the security personnel of the politician entering the booth with weapons.

According to rules of the EC, high-profile leaders can be accompanied by a security officer who can go enter a polling booth only with concealed weapons.