New Delhi, September 10: Over 55 per cent voters today exercised their franchise for by-polls to 20 assembly seats spread over seven states which passed off peacefully barring boycott at a few places in Bihar.
Seven assembly constituencies each in Bihar and Gujarat, two seats in Madhya Pradesh and one each in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Delhi (Dwarka) went to the polls, the second major test of popularity for parties after the Lok Sabha elections. Honours were even in the first round of by-elections for 17 seats held last month.
While the Tekkali seat in Andhra Pradesh saw the highest turnout of 76 per cent, about 67 per cent voted in Namchi Singithong (Sikkim) and 62 per cent in Gujarat, where the results are unlikely to alter the ruling BJP’s position in the assembly as it enjoys an absolute majority.
In Bihar, Chainpur recorded a turnout of around 51 per cent followed by 49 per cent in Ramgarh, 45 in Kalyanpur, 44 in Warisnagar and 40 per cent in Chanari. Naxal-hit Aurai had the lowest turnout of 31 per cent. Poll boycott was reported from seven polling centres in Aurai, Ramgarh and Chenari.
Nearly 55 per cent polling was recorded in Vikasnagar assembly by-election in Uttarakhand, while there was 47 per cent polling in Delhi’s Dwarka constituency.
In Madhya Pradesh, nearly 50-55 per cent polling was recorded in Gohad reserve seat (in Bhind district) while 35-40 per cent voters turned out in Tendukheda (in Narsinghpur).
Counting of votes will be taken up on September 14.
–Agencies