UP Assembly bypolls see over 49 pc turnout

An average of over 49 per cent votes were today cast in bye-elections to Jangipur and Bilari assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, with no reports of untoward incident.
While 52.80 per cent polling was witnessed in Bilari (Moradabad/Sambhal), 46 per cent votes were cast in Jangipur (Ghazipur), an official release said.
Both seats were held by the ruling Samajwadi Party.
Jangipur seat in Ghazipur district fell vacant when sitting MLA and cabinet minister Kailash Yadav died in February after a brain haemorrhage, while bypoll in Bilari was necessitated following the death of 64-year-old Haji Irfan in a road accident on March 10.

Yadav, who held the Panchayati Raj portfolio in the Akhilesh Yadav cabinet, wielded considerable influence in eastern UP and his death was considered a setback for the SP. Irfan, a first-time legislator, was killed when the vehicle in which he was travelling fell into a ditch.
According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission, counting of votes will take place on May 19.