UP council polls peaceful, record 97 percent turnout

Lucknow: Elections to the 28 seats of the Uttar Pradesh legislative council, the upper house of the state legislature, to be filled through local bodies, were held on Thursday across the state amid tight security.

Officials said the peaceful polling recorded an average turnout of 97 percent.

Polling was held in 57 districts, with highest polling percentage recorded in Mirzapur-Sonebhadra, Varanasi, Rae Bareli, Aligarh, Sultanpur and Ghazipur where more than 99 percent polling was recorded. 

The lowest turnout of 90 percent was reported from Muzaffarnagar-Saharanpur seat.

The ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) is contesting all seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party 21 seats, Bahujan Samaj Party six and the Congress the lone Rae Bareli seat. 

There were 97 candidates in fray. Results are likely to be announced by March 6.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav cast his vote in Saifai development block in Etawah.