Estimated 5-7% cast their vote in initial hours

An estimated five to seven per cent of the voters cast their ballot in first two hours of the polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in 12 constituencies.

An estimated five to seven per cent of the voters cast their ballot in first two hours of the polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in 12 constituencies in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday.

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"Around five to seven per cent of the electorate exercised its franchise till 0900 hours," state Election Office sources said here.

The balloting so far is incident-free and it is likely to pick up later in the day, they said.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti exercised her franchise at a booth at Tikamgarh in Khajuraho constituency.

Congress veteran Kamal Nath, who is contesting from the high-profile Chhindwara seat, along with his wife, Alka, two sons and daughter-in-law exercised his vote. Chhindwara registered 10 per cent voting in the first two hours.

Soon after voting, Nath alleged that nearly 50 booths have been captured in the tribal-seat of Chhindwara.

He claimed that following the entry of BJP nominee Prahlad Patel in the fray, there was rise in the violent incidents, which were a blot on the otherwise peaceful district.

The Congress leader said he has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission about the incident.

Meanwhile, sources in the state election office said they were yet to receive any report about booth capturing from Chhindwara authorities.

In the initial hours, there was not much rush for the polling, and Rewa witnessed 7.98 per cent voting while it was a meagre 1.96 per cent in the Shahdol Lok Sabha seat.

In Satna, bordering Uttar Pradesh, Special Task Force, had surrounded 18 members of the notorious Gudda gang in Chitrakoot area foiling their attempts to enter the state to create disturbances, Satna SP R K Gupta told PTI.

Last night, police exchanged fire with the dacoits, he added.