55-60 per cent polling in 2nd phase; 6 people killed

The biggest democratic exercise on earth entered its second phase. The voter turnout for 136 Lok Sabha seats in 11 states was 55 to 60%, as was in the first phase. However, the second phase was more peaceful than the first as only six people were killed.

The voter turnout for the second phase of polling for 136 Lok Sabha seats in 11 states was moderate with the overall figure being between 55 and 60 per cent.

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While six people were reportedly killed in poll-related violence in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, polling in Maharashtra, Orissa, Karnataka and Assam was largely peaceful. Despite the violence, the second phase was far more peaceful than the first phase.

Monday's polling completed the voting exercise in seven states - Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.

Deputy election commissioner A.N. Jha said a final decision on re-polling for the second phase would be taken by Tuesday evening. "Once we get detailed reports from the returning officers, the schedule for re-polling will be finalised,'' he said.

When asked whether the EC had received any specific complaints from Rae Bareli, which had been identified as a "hyper sensitive" area by the EC, Jha said that there were no complaints so far and polling there had been peaceful.

The EC, however, expressed concern over the issue of missing names from electoral rolls, particularly in Mumbai.

Jha said the EC had initiated an inquiry into the matter to see whether this was because of an administrative lapse or due to some other reason. Despite having a valid voter identity card, a large number of people in Mumbai could not cast their votes as their names were missing from the rolls.

"The EC is concerned about this issue and is looking into it," Jha remarked. He claimed the EC was still examining the reply filed by the BJP in response to the EC's show cause notice on the Lucknow sari stampede.