New Delhi, August 18: Amidst tight security, over 55 per cent voters today exercised their franchise for by-polls to 16 assembly seats spread over four states which passed off peacefully.
Five assembly constituencies each in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, four in Uttar Pradesh and two in West Bengal went to the polls, the first major test of popularity for politial parties after the April-May Lok Sabha elections.
An estimated 66 per cent turnout was reported in Tamil Nadu, 62 per cent in Karnataka, 54 in UP and a poor 40 per cent in West Bengal, information received from respective state electoral officers said.
No untoward incident was reported from anywhere and the democratic exercise passed off peacefully in the four states.
Counting of votes for all the 16 seats will take place on August 21 in respective states. .
—Agencies