Voter turnout touches 53 per cent by 5 PM in Varanasi

VARANASI: The voter turnout further increased towards evening and touched nearly 53 per cent in Varanasi by 5 PM today. According to election officials, the highest turnout of 57 per cent was reported in the Varanasi South Assembly constituency while the rural areas of Rohiniya and Sevapuri saw 51 per cent and 54 per cent polling, respectively, till 5 PM.

In the upmarket Cantonment area, polling was lower at 51 per cent while in the Varanasi North Assembly constituency, it was at 50 per cent till 5 P.M. While polling was peaceful at most places, police had to resort to mild use of force at some booths after people complained about their names missing from the voters' list. AAP also complained about alleged attempts at booth capturing in some areas.