India votes in second phase of Lok Sabha polls

Polling in Bengal 'by and large peaceful', says observer

The Election Commission of India (ECI) appointed special observer for West Bengal Ajay Nayak today described the polling by and large was peaceful in three Lok Sabha seats of north Bengal's Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Raiganj.

Reports said barring some stray incidents of violence and booth capturing initially, the poll on later half went peaceful, especially in Chopra under Raiganj after the central forces took position on troubled polling stations.

Some 51.68 per cent vote was polled in first seven hours until 1300 hrs in the three segments for 2nd phase polling.

Mr Nayak, who took charge today, told reporters that by and large polling was peaceful though there were some report of disturbances from some polling booths, which were taken care of adequately.

Poor polling in Srinagar till 11am

About five per cent voters of 12.95 lakh electorate exercised their democratic right in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency, spread over three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal in central Kashmir, amid shutdown and unprecedented security arrangements.

An official spokesperson told UNI: "An overall percentage of 17.8 per cent was recorded in Udhampur and Srinagar Lok Sabha seats till 1100 hrs."

He said Ganderbal recorded the highest 6.5 per cent polling during the first four hours, followed by Budgam 6.4 per cent.

“Srinagar recorded the lowest voter turnout in the constituency at 2.3 per cent,” he added.

Healthy polling in Jammu

In Jammu, the first four districts out of six segments recorded healthy polling as 28 per cent votes were polled in the first four hours in the second phase of Lok Sabha for Udhampur-Kathua Parliamentary Constituency.

Polling percentage in Reasi district was 28.8, in Kathua 28.5 per cent, in Udhampur 28.7 per cent, Ramban 19.5 per cent, in Doda 28.6 per cent and in Kishtwar 23.6 per cent. 

BJP candidate detained in Bulandshahr

In Bulandshahr, BJP candidate Bhola Singh was reportedly detained in his house after he allegedly entered the booths seeking support from the voters.

Taking congnisance of the matter, the Election Commission has sought a report from the district returning officer Abhay Singh.

'Fake' voting allegation by BJP candidate

In Uttar Pradesh, BJP candidate from Amroha Kanwar Singh Tanwar along with BJP MLA from Hasanpur Mahendra Singh have alleged 'fake' voting by 'burqa' clad by women.

The candidate even claimed that a youth wearing a burqa was nabbed by the security personnel in Nagla Sadat village.

34 per cent polling in Karnataka till 1pm

The voters turnout is steadly increasing at polling booths amid summer heat in the 14 Lok Sabha segments in Karnataka where polling was held for the first phase (second phase in the country) today.

About 34 per cent polling was reported by 1300 hrs and no untoward incident reported so far, police said.

State Election Commission officials said the voting process was seamless, barring minor glitches in EVMs that was set right immediately, after polling began at 0700 hrs on Thursday.

33 per cent polling in Odisha till 1pm

Around 33 per cent polling was recorded by 1pm in Odisha today, Chief Electoral Officer Surendra Kumar said today.

Mr Kumar said, polling started at 0700 hrs this morning after mock poll at 0530 hrs in five Lok Sabha and 35 Assembly seats and polling was going on peacefully in all the 9,117 booths including in Phulbani where a polling official was shot dead by Maoists yesterday.

Sanjukta Digal, the polling official, was shot dead near Barahala village under Gochhapada Police station of Kandhamal district yesterday.

Mr Kumar said the family of Sanjukta Digal would be given financial assistance of around Rs 30 lakh following the guidelines of the Election Commission.

Maoists trigger IED blast in Chhattisgarh on poll day

A policeman was injured in an IED blast triggered by suspected Maoists in Chhattisgarh on Thursday morning. The incident took place at Rajnandgaon. The injured policeman has been identified as Man Singh.

His injuries were minor and he is back on duty after receiving first aid.

Stones hurled at CPM's Raigunj candidate Md Salim's car

CPM candidate Md. Salim's car was attacked when he was on the way to cast his vote at Patagora of Raigunj constituency. He is fighting against Deepa Dasmunsi of the Congress. Dasmunsi is the sitting MP.