UP polls: Voting generally peaceful, turnout 56 per cent

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, India), Feb 11 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh went to polls today in the second of the seven phase election to constitute the next legislative assembly of the northern Indian state. State Election Commission sources put the voting today at nearly 56 per cent. Barring a couple of incidents, the polling passed off peacefully, the state Election Commission and police said. A total of 19.2 million voters exercised their franchise today in 59 assembly seats spread over nine districts. The fate of 1,098 candidates, including two state party chiefs, 31 legislators and 24 former ministers was sealed in the exercise. The first round of elections in the state had been held on February 8 for 55 seats involving an electorate of 17.0 million with 862 candidates in fray. The Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly has a strength of 403 members. The last phase of the 7-phase election is scheduled for March 3. PTI