Millions vote in by-polls in six states

New Delhi: Polling between 60 percent to as high as 80 percent was recorded in byelections held Wednesday to eight assembly constituencies in six states. Around 50 percent voter turnout was registered in the Kolkata South parliamentary constituency where also by-poll was held.

By-polls were held for two assembly seats each in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and one each in Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand and Karnataka.

In Himachal Pradesh, by-polls were held in Renuka and Nalagarh constituencies, while in Haryana polling was held in Adampur and Ratia. Byelection was held for the Laukaha seat in Bihar, for Mandu in Jharkhand, the Umerkote seat in Odisha and the Bellary Rural seat in Karnataka.

The Kolkata South parliamentary by-poll saw over 50 percent voting. The by-poll was necessitated after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vacated the seat upon her election to the state legislature.

State Trinamool president and Minister Subrata Bakshi, who quit as legislator from Bhowanipore to pave the way for his party leader's maiden entry into the assembly, is the party candidate for this bypoll.

Around 70 percent voting was recorded in the by-poll to Bellary Rural assembly seat in Karnataka where mining barons Reddy brothers are taking on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Haryana's Adampur and Ratia constituencies witnessed brisk polling.

Adampur constituency, considered a stronghold of former chief minister Bhajan Lal's family, recorded over 70 percent voting. His daughter-in-law, Renuka Bishnoi, wife of Hisar MP Kuldeep Bishnoi, is the Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) candidate for the seat.

The Adampur seat in Hisar district fell vacant last month following the election of HJC president Kuldeep Bishnoi to parliament from the Hisar constituency.

Ratia saw 65 percent voting. The seat fell vacant in September after the death of Indian National Lok Dal legislator Gian Chand Odh.

Around 65 percent polling was recorded in Umerkote in Odisha's Nabarangpur district.

The closing time for voting was 4 p.m., but the deadline was extended in many places as large number of people were waiting in queues to cast their votes, an official said.

Around 75 percent polling was recorded in Renuka (reserved) and 80 percent in Nalagarh constituencies of Himachal Pradesh.

In the 2007 assembly elections, the former constituency saw 75 percent polling, while the latter saw 82 percent.

Voting began on a dull note due to cold in the first few hours, but picked up gradually as the day progressed, an official said.

The main contest is between the Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Over 60 percent polling was recorded in Mandu assembly constituency in Jharkhand. The by-poll was held amid tight security as many booths are located in Maoist-hit areas.

The seat fell vacant after the death of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha legislator Teklal Mahto.

Security forces were deployed at sensitive booths and helicopters kept on standby for any emergency.

Around 55 percent polling was recorded for the Laukaha assembly seat in Bihar's Madhubani district. The by-poll was necessitated due to the death of Janata Dal-United MLA and state minister Hari Prasad Sah last month.
 

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