Two Naxal-hit constituencies of Uttar Pradesh which had been given two hours less polling time, recorded a jump in voting percentage as 54 seats of nine districts recorded over 57.5% turnout in the seventh and last phase on Monday. Chakia (SC) in Chandauli recorded 65. 55% turnout against 64.13% in 2017. Similarly, Dudhit (ST) of Sonbhadra had 64.9% polling, a rise from 63.76% in 2017. The polling in these two and Robertsganj (ST) ended at 4 pm unlike 51 other seats in the phase where voting continued till 6 pm. Robertsganj seat which shares its border with Bihar and Jharkhand registered 59.98% turnout.
As per Election Commission data, 57.53% polling in the final leg was much below the 2017 turnout of 59. 91%. The final data would be released on Friday. As many as 613 candidates were in the fray in this round, which was held in Azamgarh, Mau, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra and Bhadohi. None of these districts saw a jump in the polling percentage.
Polling was peaceful, barring reports of violent confrontation in Azamgarh. As per reports, immediately after the end of polling hours in Azamgarh Sadar, a violent clash took place between the supporters of former minister and Samajwadi Party candidate Durga Yadav and BJP's Akhilesh Kumar Mishra near Sarfuddinpur polling booth in Azamgarh.
SP Azamgarh Anurrag Arya said, “At Saifuddinpur booth, the supporters of two candidates engaged in confrontation. Police team has been deployed, and the situation is under control. Legal action will be taken.” Nearly 80 EVMs and VVPATs were found malfunctioned which were replaced within time.
In Ghazipur, the supporters of SP candidate Virendra Yadav clashed with police by alleging that they had replaced EVMs. On noticing that EVMs were being loaded in a private car, the supporters of Yadav started their protest. When police tried to control them they clashed with cops after which police used mild force to disperse them.
