UP Panchayat polls: 50 pc polling recorded so far

The fourth phase of polling for the Uttar Pradesh gram panchayat polls recorded a voter turnout of around 50 per cent amid stray incidents of violence.
"Barring few incidents, the polling was by and large peaceful in 66 districts. Till now, we have reports of 50 per cent polling, but it will be around 71 per cent," State Election Commissioner S K Agarwal told reporters here.
He said that the three incidents of violence occurred in Pratapgarh district.
Agarwal said two persons, including a policeman, were injured in a firing incident. A warning would be issued to the District Magistrate and the SSP. FIRs have been lodged in this connection, he said.

The vehicle of a candidate was also torched by the supporters of another contestant in the district.
He said that polling in eight districts would be held tomorrow.

IG (law and order) A Satish Ganesh said that counting would be held on December 13 during which one section of PAC and civil police would be deployed at every center.
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In two blocks of Mathura district where the Gram Panchayat election held, 72.74 per cent of polling was recorded.
74.49 per cent polling was recorded in Baldeo block while 71 per cent occurred in Raya, District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar said.

Of 1,41,456 voters in Baldeo, 10,53,70 used their franchise. Similarly out of 1,55,720 voters in Raya block, 1,10,428 cast votes, ADM (Administration) and Deputy District Election Officer (Panchayat) Ajai Kumar Avasthi said.
Meanwhile, in a chance encounter six persons were arrested by police and a gun, one country-made pistol and one sword recovered from their possession at the outskirt of Nagla Sanja area under Baldeo police station.
Two cars, the accused were using, have been confiscated, DSP Ajai Kumar said.
They have been booked under relevant sections of the Arms act and for the violation of section 144 of the CrPC, the DSP said.