New Delhi Dec 9 (IANS) An estimated 68 per cent of voters exercised their franchise in the first phase of polling in 89 constituencies in Gujarat till 5 p.m. with the Election Commission saying the figure is likely to cross 70 per cent.
Addressing a press conference Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said polling was going on till late at many places and those who were in the queue by 5 p.m. will be given an opportunity to vote.
"In many places as reported till late the poll was going on. Those who were in queue at 5 p.m. will be given an opportunity to vote " he said adding that the final polling figures will come late in the evening.
The first phase of poll for 89 seats in 19 districts recorded 68 per cent polling and it may touch the figure of 71 per cent similar to the last assembly elections when the percentage was recorded at 70.7 per cent.
District wise polling in Kachch district was recorded at 63 per cent 75 in Surendranagar 75 in Morbi 70 in Rajkot 65 in Jamnagar 71 in Bharuch 73 in Narmada 73 in Khed 60 in Porbandar 63 in Devebhoomi Dwarka 70 in Gir Somnath 67 in Amreli 62 in Bhavnagar 70 in Surat 75 in Navsari 70 in Valsad 60 in Botad 73 in Tapi 65 in Junagadh 70 in Dang
and 60 in Botad.
Sinha said that there were some complaints of Electronic Voting Machines being connected to bluetooth but it was found to be "totally false".
He also said that it was the first time EVMs with VVPAT (Voter-verified paper audit trail) was used on such a large scale.
--IANS
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