GG News Bureau
Lucknow, 20th Nov. Polling began sluggishly on Wednesday for by-elections in 15 assembly constituencies across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand. Voting started at 7 a.m. in 14 constituencies and will conclude at 5 p.m., while in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath constituency, polling commenced at 8 a.m. and will end at 6 p.m.
Uttar Pradesh:
Nine constituencies in Uttar Pradesh witnessed an average voter turnout of 9.67% by 9 a.m., as per Election Commission (EC) data. Constituency-wise turnout included:
- Katehari: 11.48%
- Kundarki: 13.59%
- Meerapur: 13.01%
- Majhawan: 10.55%
- Karhal: 9.67%
- Khair: 9.03%
- Phulpur: 8.83%
- Sisamau: 5.73%
- Ghaziabad: 5.36%
Polling in Sisamau was necessitated following the disqualification of Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki, while eight other seats fell vacant after their MLAs were elected to the Lok Sabha.
Uttarakhand:
In Kedarnath, voter turnout stood at 4.3% during the first hour of polling. The seat in Rudraprayag district became vacant after BJP MLA Shaila Rani Rawat’s death in July. BJP’s Asha Nautiyal and Congress’s Manoj Rawat are seen as the key contenders among six candidates.
Punjab:
By-elections in Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal, and Barnala constituencies saw a combined turnout of 8.53% by 9 a.m. Turnout by constituency included:
- Gidderbaha: 13.1%
- Dera Baba Nanak: 9.7%
- Barnala: 6.9%
- Chabbewal: 4.15%
The bypolls were necessitated as incumbent legislators from these seats were elected to the Lok Sabha. Forty-five candidates, including three women, are contesting for these seats.
Kerala:
Polling in Kerala’s Palakkad constituency remained tepid, with a 6.76% turnout recorded by 8:30 a.m. The by-election was prompted by Congress leader Shafi Parambil’s resignation after his election to the Lok Sabha from Vadakara. Key candidates include Rahul Mamkootathil (UDF), C. Krishnakumar (NDA), and P. Sarin (LDF).
Votes for these bypolls will be counted on November 23. While the outcomes will not directly impact the strength of the respective legislative assemblies, they are seen as an indicator of public sentiment in these states.
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