Home India Politics 70 percent polling in Punjab, 65 percent in Uttarakhand so far: EC

70 percent polling in Punjab, 65 percent in Uttarakhand so far: EC

By IANS,

New Delhi : An estimated 70 percent polling was recorded in Punjab and 65 percent in Uttarakhand in assembly elections in the two states, the Election Commission said here Monday, and added that the figure would rise as many people were waiting in queues to cast their ballot.

The poll panel also indicated that the polling percentage in the two states will cross the final polling percentage figures in 2007 polls.

Deputy Election Commissioner Alok Shukla said Punjab had recorded “70 percent polling till 5 p.m.” and the final percentage was expected to go up to at least 77 percent.

Shukla, who briefed reporters about the polling in Punjab, said the polling percentage was 75.3 percent in 2007.

Deputy Election Commissioner Sudhir Tripathi, who briefed reporters about polling in Uttarakhand, said the hill state had recorded 65 percent polling till 5 p.m. The state was expected to record about 70 percent voting, he said. Uttarakhand had recorded 63.9 percent vote in 2007 polls.

Election Commission officials said the rules permit voters who queue up outside the booths before 5 p.m. to cast their vote and polling hours are extended beyond the closing time. They said long queues were witnessed at several places in the two states in the evening.