UP assembly elections 2012: 57% turnout in UP phase-III polls

NEW DELHI: Around 57% of the electorate voted in the third phase of elections for 56 seats to the Uttar Pradesh assembly on Wednesday.

The figure was lower than the 63% recorded in the first phase, and 59% registered in the second round but much higher than the 42% recorded by this phase in the 2007 assembly polls. This could be a clear indicator of voters preferring a regime change.

The third leg of the staggered seven-phase polls covered 10 districts, including Congress strongholds of Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj Nagar (formerly Amethi) and Sultanpur. The Allahabad, Varanasi and Mirzapur divisions also went to polls during this round.

The incident-free third phase of the seven-part elections decided the fate of three cabinet ministers, a minister of state and 14 former ministers.

Polling began on a sluggish note in the 18,374 booths spread over 10 districts but picked up as the day progressed. State election officials put the overall turn out at around 56%.

As many as 1,018 candidates were in the fray for elections.

The remaining phases of polling for 403-strong assembly will be held on February 19, 23, 28 and March 3.Counting of votes will take place on March 6.