Above 70 pct polling in MP, over 80 pct in Mizoram

The Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Monday that voter turnout in Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram was over 70 and 80 percent respectively.

Addressing a news conference here this evening, Deputy Election Commissioner Sudhir Tripathi said voter turnout percentages are likely to go up, as the exact figures are still to come in from all polling stations.

There were reports of stray incidents of violence during polling in Madhya Pradesh, but by and and large, it went off peacefully.

Polling in 227 assembly segments began at 8 a.m. and continued till 5 p.m.

Polling in three constituencies in naxal-affected Balaghat district began at 7 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m.

Over four crore 64 lakh voters will decide the fate of 2,583 candidates, including 200 women candidates.

Meanwhile, 552 companies of security forces and more than forty thousand home guard jawans have been deployed for smooth conduct of polls.

Two helicopters are keeping vigil in the Naxal affected Balaghat and Singrauli districts.

In Mizoram, the ECI said that 81 per cent votes had been cast in Monday's elections.

The exercise began at eight and seven in the morning and gained momentum as the day progressed.

Polling for the 40-seat assembly Mizoram was held amid tight security.

The polling continued till 4 p.m.

Over 6.9 lakh voters including 3.5 lakh female voters will decide the fate of the next government.

Both the ruling Congress and the opposition Mizoram Democratic Alliance (MDA) comprising MNF, Mizoram People's Conference and Maraland Democratic Alliance have fielded candidates in all the 40 seats.

Chief Minister Pu Lalthanhawla is contesting from two constituencies - Serchhip, his home turf, and neighbouring Hrangturzo and Opposition MNF leader and former chief minister Zoramthanga (MNF) is trying his luck from Tuipui East bordering Myanmar.

According to reports, for the first time in the country, Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trails, (VVPAT) are being used in 10 Assembly segments in this election.

VVPAT is a machine attached to the Electronic Voting Machines which allows voters to check if their votes were cast the way they wished.

Meanwhile,political parties are making all out efforts to woo voters in Delhi and Rajasthan.

In Rajasthan, top leaders of Congress are campaigning along with BJP and CPIM to seek the support of voters.

Prominent among those who addressed election rallies in the two states were Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi.

In Rajasthan, over 50 public meetings have been organised.

In Delhi, top political leaders have joined the election campaign.

The main contest is between the ruling Congress, BJP and Aam Aadmi Party.

Corruption, price rise, development and a responsive administration are some of the key issues that are being taken up by the leaders in most of the rallies.