Lone Andaman and Nicobar LS seat witnesses 70% turnout

Polling began on Thursday in the 386 polling stations spread across the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar islands to elect the lone Lok Sabha member amid palpable enthusiasm among voters.

Turnout for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands was recorded at 70% on Thursday, the election office said.

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The final percentage might rise, the sources said.

The poll battle was practically a straight contest between the Congress, which won the seat continuously until 2004 with the exception of 1999, and the BJP though there were national level parties like the NCP, BSP, CPI-M, SP and TMC in the contest.

Congress had fielded Kuldeep Rai Sharma while Bishnu Pada Ray, the sitting MP, was the BJP nominee.