UP civic polls: 1.09cr people in 24 districts cast votes
The first phase of civic polls in Uttar Pradesh is being held today across 24 districts. Voting will happen from 7am to 5pm. 1.09cr voters will choose their candidates from five possible mayors, 901 potential chairpersons for 71 nagar palikas and 3,856 nominees for 1,819 nagar palika wards. There were allegations EVMs were voting for BJP irrespective of the button pressed. Read more here.
These districts are going to polls today
In the first phase, the districts of Agra, Amethi, Azamgarh, Badaun, Basti, Bijnore, Chitrakoot, Faizabad, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Ghazipur, Hamirpur, Hapur, Hardoi, Hathras, Jalaun, Kanpur, Kasganj, Kaushambi, Meerut, Pratapgarh, Shamli, Sonebhadra and Unnao are going to polls. The next phases would be held on November 26 and 29. Counting is on December 1.
EVMS allegedly voting for BJP irrespective of button pressed
There was disruption in several places. Technical glitches in EVMs were reported from Kanpur, Agra and Gorakhpur. In Agra and Meerut, candidates and voters cut queues and brought in mobile phones, creating a ruckus. Meanwhile, Congress's Anu Tandon and BJP's Sakshi Maharaj's names disappeared from the voters' list. In Meerut, voters alleged EVMS were voting for BJP irrespective of which button was pressed.
CM Adityanath casts his vote
These elections are a key test for the Adityanath government
These polls ahead of the 2019 elections are crucial for the BJP, which came to power in UP earlier in April. Analysts say results of these will reveal the mood of the voters and indicate if they are happy with the Yogi Adityanath government. In 2012, the saffron party had swept these polls, winning 10 out of 12 mayoral posts.
