An estimated 50 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise as polling for the first assembly elections in Uttaranchal passed off peacefully on Thursday amidst tight security. Braving extreme cold, people turned out in large numbers to cast their ballots as a moderate to brisk polling was recorded from both the plains and hilly areas of the state with no untoward incident being reported from any part of the state, the chief electoral officer said.
Main opposition Congress alleged that its poll agents were assaulted by the district officials in Lohaghat area of Champavat district. The party said that at least 200 people were prevented from casting their votes in the area. There were some complaints of missing names in the voters list all over the state, official sources said.
A presiding officer was killed when he slipped off a snow-covered hill top.
Balloting was held under tight security with authorities deploying 30,000 policemen and para-military personnel to maintain law and order. A high alert was sounded in the state and the Indo-Nepal border remained sealed since Wednesday. DGP Uttaranchal Ashok Kant Sharan said polling was peaceful throughout the state.
Thursday's polling sealed the fate of 927 candidates including chief minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari who is seeking election from Kapkot constituency of Bageshwar district for the first time in his life.
Koshiyari, who is locked in a keen tussle with Chamu Singh Ghasyal of Congress cast his vote at a primary school in Pithoragarh district. Bureau Report