25.18 per cent polling recorded in Uttar Pradesh till 11 AM

LUCKNOW: The polling for the crucial fifth phase of elections picked up in Uttar Pradesh with 25.18 per cent voters exercising their franchise till 11 AM to decide fate of 243 candidates, including Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and BJP national secretary Varun Gandhi.

In the high profile seat Amethi, 27.80 per cent polling has been recorded in the first four hours whereas neighbouring Sultanpur from where Rahul's cousin Varun is contesting 25.80 per cent voters have cast their votes.

In Pratapgarh 20.60 per cent, while in Faizabad 29.20 per cent, Gonda 22.44 per cent, Kaushambi 24 per cent, Phulpur 21.60 per cent votes were cast.

Allahabad recorded 24.20 per cent voter turnout whereas, Ambedkarnagar 25.40 per cent, Bahraich 27.80 per cent, Kaisarganj 25.40, Shravasti 23.80 per cent, Basti 28.40 per cent, Sant Kabir Nagar, 25.40 and Bhadohi 25.80 per cent.

Highest turnout was reported from Faizabad with 29.20 per cent votes.

More than 2.6 crore electorate, including 1.37 crore male and 1.19 crore female are expected to exercise their franchise in the this phase.

While 34 candidates are in fray from Amethi, 10 candidates are contesting from Bahraich constituency.

Of the 25085 polling centres, 3715 has been identified as critical.