In the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in western Uttar Pradesh, a significant voter turnout of 57.90 percent was recorded across all eight parliamentary constituencies. This election saw a total of 80 candidates vying for seats, with 73 men and seven women in the running. According to the ECI, Saharanpur saw the highest voter participation at 63.29 percent, followed by Pilibhit at 60.23 percent, Muzaffarnagar at 54.91 percent, and Rampur at 52.42 percent.
Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Navdeep Rinwa, reported that the first phase of elections proceeded peacefully across all eight Lok Sabha constituencies. While voting generally commenced at 7 am and ended by 6 pm, some areas experienced extended voting hours.
By 5 pm, the average voter turnout in Uttar Pradesh stood at an impressive 67.54 per cent. Rinwa also addressed complaints received by the state election body regarding malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), primarily communicated through emails. Prompt actions were taken to address these issues, ensuring the integrity of the voting process.
Despite the smooth conduct of elections, Rinwa acknowledged receiving complaints from various political parties and candidates concerning EVM malfunctions.
Since, he reassured that all complaints were swiftly forwarded to the respective districts for resolution. Therefore, there were no major incidents of violence reported throughout the voting process, except for a minor scuffle between two parties outside a polling booth, promptly handled by the police.
Specific constituencies also witnessed substantial voter turnouts, with Bijnor recording 54.68 per cent, Kairana at 60.39 per cent, Moradabad at 58.25 per cent, and Nagina at 59.17 per cent. As the elections progress, voting for the second phase is scheduled for April 19 and April 26, followed by subsequent phases on May 7 and May 13.
These elections mark a crucial moment for Uttar Pradesh as citizens exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives in the Lok Sabha.
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