MP records highest turnout, 2 killed in poll violence

Madhya Pradesh today witnessedthe highest-ever voter turnout of over 70 per cent and Mizoram more than 81 per cent in the assembly polls marred by stray violence which left two Congress activists dead in the central state.
MP Minister of State for Women and Child Development Ranjana Baghel was booked under Sections 353/34 IPC for allegedly bribing of voters in Dhar district.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Jaideep Govind told reporters in Bhopal that there was firing in the air at some places in Lahar constituency in Bhind district but said there was no possibility of a re-poll.
He said one man, identified as Bhurasingh Kansana, nephew of sitting Congress MLA and candidate for Sumavali constituency in Morena district, was killed when a BSF jawan opened fire to stop him from fleeing with an EVM at Nayakpura polling station.

In Khargone district of MP, a Congress worker identified as Kalu Yadav (38) was killed in a clash with BJP activists at Saadi village in Kasrawad constituency, said Additional SP Rajesh Dandotiya.
"Polling was brisk and peaceful but for some stray incidents of violence - four in Bhind and three in Morena district and one person each was injured in the two districts. As many as 30 persons were arrested for inciting violence in the two districts," Deputy Election Commissioner Sudhir Tripathi said in Delhi.

The previous high turn-out in MP was 69.58 per cent in the 2008 assembly elections while it was 82.35 per cent in Mizoram.

Govind said polling in three Maoist-affected constituencies in Balaghat district was held was held under tight security and choppers were also used, he said, adding an average 70 per cent polling was witnessed here.
The CEO said polling was boycotted in some polling stations in 10 districts by people who resented lack of construction of roads in their areas.
In Mizoram, over 81 per cent of polling was reported around 6 PM and was expected to go higher. The fate of 142 candidates, including Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and his 11 ministers, was sealed in election to the 40-member assembly.