59 percent voter turnout in fifth phase of UP assembly polls

Lucknow, Feb 23 (ANI): Over 59 percent voter turnout was recorded in the fifth phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls on Thursday.

An electrorate of 1.56 crore voters were expected to exercise their franchise for 49 seats spread over 13 districts of the state including Ferozabad, Kashiram Nagar, Etah, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Ramabainagar, Kanpur, Jhansi, Jalaun, Lalitpur, Hamirpur and Mahoba in this phase.

The fate of several stalwarts including BJP leader Uma Bharati is at stake in this phase of polling.

The Uttar Pradesh polls are being viewed as an opportunity for major political parties to re-establish their foothold in the country's fifth largest and most populous state.

The first, second, third and fourth phases of polling occurred on February 8, February 11, February 15 and February 19, respectively.

A new 403-member state assembly will be elected in March. The poll results will broadly indicate trends for the 2014 general elections. (ANI)