Bhopal: Barring a few stray incidents, casting of votes during today’s assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh passed off peacefully with polling percentage likely to cross 70, which would be an all-time high.
Briefing reporters after the end of polling, Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Jaideep Govind said that as of now, there seems to be no possibility of re-poll in any polling station of any constituency.
Govind said that the poll percentage during the 2008 assembly elections was around 65 per cent, adding that it would surely cross 70 per cent this time.
He said that polling had been boycotted in some polling stations in more than 10 districts, by people who were angry with lack of construction of roads in their areas.
Govind said that there were reports of firing in the air at some places in the Lahar constituency in the Bhind district and pointed out that no was injured.
He said that in three Maoist-affected constituencies in Balaghat district was held from 7 AM to 3 PM and added that the average polling percentage in them was around 70.
The State Chief Electoral Officer said the elections were held under strict security and added that choppers were used for the purpose in the Balaghat and Singrauli districts.
Govind said the maximum number of untoward incidents took place in Lahar constituency and these included firing by unidentified people, exchange of fire between Congress and BJP as well as firing on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supporter by a Congress supporter.
At Chowrai in the same constituency, an electronic voting machine was broken by the crowd, but it was replaced and voting resumed after a gap.
In Ater constituency in the Bhind district, one person was injured in stone pelting and added that there was firing at three or four places in the Sumawali constituency in Morena district, though no casualties were reported.
