 "UP Elections 2017: 12% votes cast in 2 hours in final phase")
Impressive voter turn out has been recorded in the first two hours of polling in all the 40 seats in the seventh and final phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections on Wednesday.
Approximately 12 per cent of the over 1.41 crore voters came out early to cast their votes as polling began at 7 a.m.
Maximum voting was reported from Bhadohi, the carpet exporting hub where 16 per cent voters cast their votes till 9 a.m., a poll official said.
In Sonbhadra, which is also a naxalite infested area 15 per cent polling was seen in the same time; followed by 13 per cent in Mirzapur, 12 per cent in Varanasi -- the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
While Jaunpur and Ghazipur recorded 10.5 per cent, followed by eight per cent in Chandauli. ALSO READ: LIVE UP elections 2017: 22 per cent voting till 11 am, eyes set on Varanasi
A total of 535 candidates, including 51 women, are in fray for these assembly seats spread across seven districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, known as Poorvanchal.
Nearly one and a half crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the final phase of the assembly elections, including 76.87 lakh men and 64.99 lakh women. A total of 706 voters are of the third gender.
As many as 8,682 polling stations with 14,458 polling booths have been set up.
Polling will continue till 5 p.m. in 37 constituencies, whereas in Robertsganj, Duddhi in Sonbhadra district and Chakia segment in Chandauli will end by 4 p.m., an Election Commission official said.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app