NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Polling began on Thursday morning for the first phase of assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and one-day balloting in Uttaranchal.
Over 28 million voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in 202 assembly constituencies where over 2,400 candidates, including former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers Mayawati and Kalyan Singh, Uttaranchal Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, his predecessor Nityanand Swami, three former Manipur chief ministers W Nipamacha Singh, Radhabinod Koijam and R K Dorendra Singh are in the fray.
Polling will be held for 92 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, 40 in Manipur and 70 in Uttaranchal.
In the crucial Uttar Pradesh polls, two former chief ministers are among 1242 candidates whose electoral fortunes will be sealed in Electronic Voting Machines.
Close to 22 million voters are expected to exercise their franchise at 26,437 polling booths in Uttar Pradesh.
Nearly 12,925 polling stations have been identified as sensitive. For the first time, EVMs will be used.
In the fledgling state of Uttaranchal, over 5.2 million voters will decide the fate of 927 candidates, including Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari (Kapkot) and his predecessor Nityanand Swami (Luxman Chowk).
In Manipur, about 800,000 voters would elect 244 candidates from 40 assembly constituencies in the four valley districts in the first phase of polls.
Official sources in Imphal said polling was low in the first hour, but it was likely to pick up as the day progressed.
Tell us what you think of this report
Call India
