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54.66% voting in first phase; 4 killed

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

A national average of 54.66 per cent polling was recorded in the first phase of the general election in 145 Lok Sabha constituencies in 16 states even as four people were killed in Andhra Pradesh.

Chief Election Commissioner Dr Manohar Singh Gill, however, said the polling was "broadly peaceful," and no "real incidents" were reported.

Polling in 166 polling booths have been countermanded. In Andhra Pradesh four people, including a Telugu Desam Party polling agent, were killed. Congress and TDP candidates were arrested for snatching ballot papers in the state.

In Karnataka, 15 of the 23 Lok Sabha seats that went to the polls today recorded a turnout of 63 per cent. In Bellary, where Congress president Sonia Gandhi is taking on Sushma Swaraj of the Bharatiya Janata Party, about 60 per cent polling was recorded, Dr Gill told reporters in New Delhi.

In Srinagar, where a very low turnout of 15 per cent was recorded, the personal security officer of an MLA opened fire on a crowd injuring five people. In Ferozepur, Punjab, three people were injured in firing, while in Faridkot, a journalist was roughed up.

According to Dr Gill, in the 12 Lok Sabha constituencies in AP which participated in the first phase of polling, about 65 per cent polling was recorded. Polling in 60 polling booths have been countermanded. The CEC said polling was largely peaceful in Andhra, pointing out that voting was countermanded in about 160 polling booths in the same area last year.

Goa, which witnessed unusually heavy rains today, a low 45 per cent polling was recorded. In Gujarat, Dr Gill said, the polling was "very peaceful" and the state recorded 40 per cent voting.

In Haryana, unlike in the past, no major incidents were reported, while registering 62 per cent polling. All the state's 10 Lok Sabha seats went to the polls today.

In Jammu and Kashmir where Srinagar and Ladakh went to polls today, a low 23 per cent polling took place. But in Kargil and Leh almost 70 per cent polling was recorded, Dr Gill said. "There has been a good exercise there, the democratic process is going on under the toughest situation," the CEC said, adding that it is for Parliament and the government to take note of the low polling in the state. In Srinagar, 15 per cent polling was recorded.

In Maharashtra, 60 per cent polling was recorded in 24 Lok Sabha constituencies while Punjab's 13 parliamentary constituencies recorded 55 per cent.

In Rajasthan 10 of the 25 Lok Sabha constituencies went to the polls on Sunday, recording 55 per cent polling. In Tamil Nadu too, 55 per cent polling was recorded.

In the Andaman and Nicobar constituency, 53 per cent polling was recorded. Polling in six polling booths had to be countermanded because the ballot boxes could not arrive by boat due to a turbulent ocean. In Chandigarh, 54 per cent polling was recorded, while in Dadra and Nagar Haveli 51 per cent polling was recorded.

In Daman and Diu a high 70 per cent turnout was recorded, while in Pondicherry 60 per cent polling was recorded.

In Delhi where all the seven Lok Sabha constituencies went to the polls today, a low of 47 per cent polling was recorded. Voters in the National Capital Territory used electronic voting machines for the first time.

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