First phase UP Elections 2017: As it happened

In the first of the seven-phased staggered elections in Uttar Pradesh, a total of 839 candidates are in the fray.

Polling is underway for the first of the seven phases of the high-stake Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections with voters queueing up to cast their ballots in 73 constituencies spread over 15 districts of western UP.  Agra led the voting percentage in the first four hours. There have been some reports of clashes and poll-related violence. 

The outcome of the polls in which the SP and Congress have come together in the state for the first time are expected to be the bellwether for the next Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP is hoping to return to power in the state after 13 years while Mayawati's BSP, which fared the worst the last time around, hopes to stage a comeback.

11 February 2017

17:23 IST

Polling time ends for the first phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. 

Polling time ends for the first phase of #UttarPradeshelections, visuals from Mathura. pic.twitter.com/DW1dVys5Sf

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 11, 2017

16:57 IST

Around 54 percent voters exercised their franchise till 4 pm in 73 Assembly constituencies in the first of the seven-phase UP polls, with some stray incidents reported from Baghpat and Meerut.