UP Polls: 63 percent voter turnout recorded in first phase

New Delhi [India], Feb. 11 (ANI): The Election Commission on Saturday announced the tentative voter turnout of the first phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, which was recorded at a decent 63 percentage. Deputy Election Commissioner Vijay Dev informed that the first phase of elections took place in 15 districts at around 73 constituencies where 2,60,53,940 voters participated in the polls. "Around 839 candidates contested in the first phase out of which 77 are female candidates," Dev said. Around 26,823 polling stations were constructed. In this phase, around 1, 899 Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) were used. "Important to note is that is that we replaced only 42 EVMs and 52 VVPATs in this polls. Compared to that, in 2014, these figures stood at 115," Dev said. Around Rs. 19.56 crores were seized and 4.44 lakh liter liquor amounting to Rs. 14 crores was confiscated during the assembly polls. "We also initiated a special campaign on drugs and seized Rs. 96.93 lakh wroth drugs. Rs. 14 crore worth gold and silver was also confiscated," Dev said. The Deputy Commissioner further stated that 4,253 non-bailable warrants were executed and 2,96, 906 trouble makers were identified and took action under the preventive action. The Deputy Commissioner said that elaborate arrangements were placed by the Election Commission where 2,19,414 police personnel were deployed including 826 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force. "Apart from these, 62 general observers, 19 expenditure observers, 10 police observers and one awareness observer and 4910 micro observers were also used," he said. He said that there were 13 cases of paid news, out of which 10 has been confirmed in first phase of Uttar Pradesh elections. The second phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections will be held on February 15. (ANI)