UP Lok Sabha Election 2019 voting LIVE updates: State witnesses 54.7% turnout at 7 pm; highest polling percentage in Banda

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha election latest update

At 7 pm, polling percentage of 54.7 percent recorded in Uttar Pradesh

• Dhaurahra 59.35%
• Sitapur 59.59%
• Mohanlalganj 57.48%
• Lucknow 50.48%
• Rae Bareli 53.60%
• Amethi 48.56%
• Banda 60.79%
• Fatehpur 55.24%
• Kaushambi 51.00%
• Barabanki 57.09%
• Faizabad 54.45%
• Bahraich 56.46%
• Kaiserganj 53.36%
• Gonda 49.33%

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha election update

Union Minister and BJP candidate Jayant Sinha cast his vote at a polling booth in Hazaribagh constituency.

Image courtesy: PTI

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha latest update

Polling percentage is 53.2% at 6 pm

• Dhaurahra 59.35%
• Sitapur 59.59%
• Mohanlalganj 57.48%
• Lucknow 50.48%
• Rae Bareli 50.29%
• Amethi 48.56%
• Banda 56.07%
• Fatehpur 50.17%
• Kaushambi 49.00%
• Barabanki 57.09%
• Faizabad 54.45%
• Bahraich 52.49%
• Kaiserganj 51.87%
• Gonda 48.43%

Ayodhya Lok Sabha election latest update

Ram Janma Bhoomi Nyas Samiti’s Mahant Nritya Gopal Das cast his vote at a polling station in Ayodhya.

Image courtesy: PTI

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha election latest update

EVM malfunctions, wrongful voting reported in polling booths in Amethi, Bahraich

A lady accused the polling officials at a polling booth in Amethi’s Musafirkhana of voting for BJP when she asked them for help in casting her vote. Sanjeev Kumar, Sector Magistrate, said, “Our polling officer said that he was explaining how to vote to an elderly voter. He asked her to vote by pressing the blue button and hurried her because there were other people in the queue."

At booths number 346 and 347 in Nanapara segment of Bahraich constituency, EVM malfunctions were reported.

Inputs by Asghar Naqvi, Santosh Kumar

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha election latest update

Assistant polling officer removed from duty in Amethi, case filed against another in Faizabad

Dinesh Kumar, assistant polling officer at 103 Purab Bisara, Musafirkhana, was removed after he was found guilty of casting votes on behalf of voters. A witness Brijesh Tiwari said that voters asked the officer about how to cast their votes, he voted on their behalf for the BJP. The villagers had restrained him and left him only when the Sector Magistrate arrived. They demanded that Kumar be replaced.

Meanwhile, a case was registered against polling officer Mahesh Shukla, who was deployed at booth number 47 in Madanlal Munnalal school in the Faizabad constituency. He went missing from the booth without informing anyone.

A probe against a booth level officer in Barabanki was also ordered by the sub-divisional magistrate Abhay Pandey after voters complained of missing names from the electoral rolls.

Inputs by Ashgar Naqvi, Santosh Kumar, Rehan Mustfa

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha election latest update

Model booths have been set up across Uttar Pradesh in the fifth phase of voting. While many booths were decorated to appeal to voters, other offered drinking water to voters who turned up despite the blazing sun.

त्योहारों की तरह सजे हैं कौशाम्बी के आदर्श मॉडल बूथ। मॉडल बूथ मतदाताओं के लिए बन रहे आकर्षण का केंद्र।#DeshKaMahaTyohar #IndiaElections2019 #LokSabhaElections2019 #MyVoteMatters #SVEEP #GoVote #GoCall @ECISVEEP #Phase5 pic.twitter.com/b6iGLC314q

— CEO UP #DeshKaMahaTyohar (@ceoup) May 6, 2019

Amethi Lok Sabha election latest update

Rahul Gandhi betrayed the people again, says Smriti Irani on Congress chief’s cancelled visit

“Rahul Gandhi has betrayed the people of Amethi again. I did not know that he will not visit Amethi even on the day of voting. There was no need to insult the people like this,” BJP leader Smriti Irani told ANI after it was announced that the Congress chief will not be visiting his constituency.

Amethi Lok Sabha election latest update

40 houses catch fire in Amethi; voters abandon voting to offer help

In Rahul Gandhi’s constituency Amethi, around 40 houses caught fire in the Basauni area. Voters waiting in the queue left to help others. Three fire brigade vehicles were deployed.

Input by Asghar Naqvi

Barabanki Lok Sabha Election Latest update

As 14 seats go to poll, one tiny village in Barabanki still unaware that polls are underway

Atrauli and Parsawal villages are just over 80 kilometres from Lucknow and fall under Barabanki district and Lok Sabha constituency. Its villagers did not know that the 2019 parliamentary elections went underway. “No one has come till now asking for votes or even to tell us to participate in the voting,” said Ramraj of Atrauli village, who was shocked to hear from this reporter that elections are happening in the country.

Barabanki district magistrate Uday Bhan Tripathi was not willing to accept that there were villagers living not too far from the state capital who were totally unaware about the elections.

Upendra Singh Rawat, the BJP contestant from Barabanki, when told about life in Atrauli village in his constituency, said it sounded untrue as his party workers were reaching each and every corner of the constituency. Tanuj Punia, the Congress candidate, said it was too late for him to go to the village as he got to know about it just an hour before campaigning was due to end.

Input by Saurabh Sharma

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Live updates

Rahul Gandhi cancels Amethi visit

Rahul Gandhi cancelled his Amethi visit. A Congress source told CNN-News18 that the change in plans came as the party chief was running late for his Delhi rally.

Voter turnout till 3 pm is 43.83 percent in Uttar Pradesh; Amethi, Rae Bareli record lowest turnout 

Amid reports of EVM glitches, 35.61 percent turnout was recorded Monday till 3 pm in 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. Dhaurahra recorded the highest poll percentage till 3 pm at 41.85 percent, while Amethi recorded the lowest turnout at  32.10, closely followed by the other Nehru-Gandhi bastion of Rae Bareli where 32.57 percent voters came out to vote. 

Samajwadi Party claims BJP captured over 50 booths in Kunda, takes matter to EC

The Samajwadi Party on Monday complained to the Election Commission of booth capturing done by the BJP in several locations, including Kunda, Amethi and Kaushambhi. 

A three-member delegation of the party met the State Election Commissioner and lodged an official complaint in Lucknow. The party alleged that in Kunda assembly segment, which comes under Kaushambhi, more than 50 booths have been captured,  News18  reported. 

Speaking to News18, Rajendra Chaudhary of the Samajwadi Party alleged, “We have heard very serious complaints. The ruling side is adamant on killing the democracy. Not just EVM malfunctioning, but booth capturing is being reported from Kunda, Amethi and Kaushambhi especially where the people are poor and from weaker sections.”

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

After Smriti Irani flags poll rigging, Amethi DM orders probe against polling officer  

Amethi District Magistrate has ordered a probe against the presiding officer against whom an elderly woman leveled the allegation that he forcefully pressed the Congress symbol button on the EVM. The matter was widely reported by media after Smriti Irani tweeted a video byte of the woman complaining about the officer.

Input by Asgar Naqvi

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

EVM malfunctions mar polling in Lok Sabha elections 

Polling was delayed in several booths in Uttar Pradesh on Monday after electronic voting machines (EVMs) developed technical glitch in several parliamentary constituencies during the fifth phase of polling in the Lok Sabha election. 

Polling in two of the four polling booths in Sarsawan under Mohanlalganj constituency of Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow was also delayed because of a technical glitch in EVM. Two EVMs also reported to have developed a snag at Mehmoodpur polling station of Kaushambi. EVM malfunction was reported at booth number 205 in Shivli Primary School in Bachchrawa assembly segment, part of Rae Bareli LS seat and also in booth number 215 Urmila Degree College in the same Lok Sabha constituency.

Amethi Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

Another Amethi village boycotts poll over basic demands

Villagers of the Poore Prem village in Amethi are boycotting the elections over the issue of roads. The residents have been demanding improvement of roads in the region for almost a decade. This year they have decided to not caste their votes to register their protests. 

Similarly, residents of another village in Amethi which falls within Musafirkhana block, have boycotted elections. The villagers had put up banners saying that they will boycott elections. Congress MLC has urged the residents of the village to go out and exercise their right to vote.

Dhaurahara Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

Villagers in Dhaurahara constituency boycott polls 

Zero percent voting has been recorded at Sihani Para voting booth in Hargaon assembly segment, part of Dhaurahara Lok Sabha constituency. The SDM had tried to convince about 600 residents of the village, but had to return empty handed.

Input by Rahul Arora/101Reporters

Barabanki Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

Division of Pasi vote, neglecting sitting MP makes Barabanki slippery ground for BJP

Barabanki, the small district adjoining the state capital of Lucknow has become a slippery ground for the BJP after the party denied ticket to its sitting MP Priyanka Singh Rawat. The party gave preference to Upendra Singh Rawat and he is not getting the support of Priyanka Singh Rawat who has got a massive following in the district. It is also speculated that Priyanka has silently extended her support to the Congress’s candidate Tanuj Punia, who is also the son of senior Congress leader PL Punia. The Gathbandhan has fielded Ram Sagar Rawat who has also got a strong hold among the Pasi and other scheduled castes of the district.

Input by Saurabh Sharma, Team 101 Reporters

Amethi Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

In Amethi, residents of Lusai village boycott polls over building of manned gate at railway crossing 

Residents of a village within Musafirkhana block in Amethi have boycotted elections. The villagers had put up banners saying that they will boycott elections. Congress MLC has urged the residents of the village to go out and exercise their right to vote.

Input by Asghar Naqvi/101Reporters 

Lucknow Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

BJP of today is arrogant, regret getting them elected to power in 2014, says Poonam Sinha

Poonam Sinha, who was once associated with the BJP and is now contesting against Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow on a Samajwadi Party ticket, says the saffron party of today is different from what it was during Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani’s time. “I regret helping them get elected to power as I was campaigning for the party in Bihar,” Sinha told  The Indian Express .

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

‘If all goes well, may contest polls from Ambedkarnagar: In a first, Mayawati drops hint at prime ministerial ambitions 

Hinting at her prime ministerial ambitions, BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday said that she can enter the parliament from Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar constituency, “if and when needed”.

Addressing a poll rally here, Mayawati, while not directly saying that she was in the race to become the prime minister, said: “If all goes well, then I will also have to fight the election. The road to Delhi politics passes through Ambedkar Nagar.”  While the Ambedkar Nagar constituency came up only in 2008, Mayawati had been elected four times — 1989, 1998, 1999, and 2004 — from the erstwhile Akbarpur constituency.

The Bahujan Samaj Party supremo also seemed happy with a giant cut-out of her at the rally venue, showing her standing outside the Parliament house and captioned “Prime Minister”.

Amethi Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

In Amethi, Rahul Gandhi’s adopted village may become his undoing as many rue neglect 

When Rahul Gandhi adopted Jagdishpur village under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, started comparing their own village with Saifai in Etawah district, the native village of Samajwadi Party’s founding family. But when expectations are sky high, the fall is equally steep. Five years have gone by and when Amethi votes on 6 May, a large section of its residents will go to the polling booths in a bad mood. Their primary grouse is that they never saw Rahul Gandhi after 2014, the year he adopted them. In his absence, they hanker for tap water, clean streets, pucca homes, a new school—all the things they feel an adarsh village should have got. 

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

Why politically important Awadh is a tricky turf for both Congress and BJP? 

Lucknow-based political analyst Rudra Dubey says that the Awadh region is a high-stakes area mainly for the Congress and the BJP, because Amethi and Rae Bareli constituencies are family strongholds of the Congress, while Lucknow has been the parliamentary constituency of late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

Dubey further says that the BJP finds itself on shaky waters in constituencies like Bahraich, where sitting MP Savitri Bai Phule has joined the Congress. “On the other hand, Congress has also felt a silent tremor with the BJP fielding Smriti Irani against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi,” he notes. 

He further points out that in Ayodhya, the BJP has been doing a lot of ground work after forming the government in the state. The success of the ‘Deepotsav’ and changing the name of Faizabad to Ayodhya will help the BJP in the seat, according to Dubey.

“On seats like Unnao, the BJP has decided against taking risks, and has fielded Sakshi Maharaj as it believes he is a winnable candidate," he says.

However, Dubey believes that this time, people in Awadh may now vote on the basis of issues like jobs, stray cattle, farm crisis, etc. “The other major challenge for political parties will be wooing different castes, as this region has numerous communities, including Jatavs, Yadavs, Muslim and Nishads," he remarks.

Amethi Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

Sanjay Singh casts his vote in Amethi 

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Singh cast his vote with his wife at Ramnagar booth, part of Amethi Lok Sabha constituency. Sanjay Singh is contesting from Sultanpur this time against BJP’s Maneka Gandhi in the sixth phase on 12th May.

Input by Asghar Naqui/101Reporters

Barabanki Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

As 14 seats go to poll, one tiny village in Barabanki still unaware that polls are underway

Atrauli and Parsawal villages are just over 80 kilometres from Lucknow, on a small island between two streams of the mighty Ghagra river. Falling under Barabanki district and Lok Sabha constituency, the villagers here had no idea that the 2019 parliamentary elections to elect the country’s 17th Lok Sabha were more than halfway through.

“No one has come till now asking for votes or even to tell us to participate in the voting,” said Ramraj of Atrauli village, who was shocked to hear from this reporter that elections are happening in their country.

Barabanki district magistrate Uday Bhan Tripathi was not willing to accept that there were villagers living not too far from the state capital who were totally unaware about the elections. “I have learnt about this only through you guys," said Uday Bhan Tripathy. “This is very serious and I assure you that my officials will visit the villages and the district administration will tell the villagers about the electoral festival and make them participate in the 6 May voting.” 

Upendra Singh Rawat, the BJP contestant from Barabanki, when told about life in Atrauli village in his constituency, said it sounded untrue as his party workers were reaching each and every corner of the constituency. “I do not know why people did not reach the village,” said Rawat.  Tanuj Punia, the Congress candidate, said it was too late for him to go to the village as he got to know about it just an hour before campaigning was due to end. “I regret not knowing this before,” said Punja.

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election Latest update  

The political importance of Awadh

Political commentator JP Shukla points out that as the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow is the power centre for not just the state government, but also political parties. “Awadh region is the heart of Uttar Pradesh and this region has brought a change in national politics. The controversy over the Ram temple dispute comes from this region, and it is a very important political issue. The issue has affected the politics of India for many decades. The Ram temple issue was above all other issues in the last election, and it helped the BJP to make its government at the Centre,” Shukla opines.

Shukla argues that the politics of Awadh is emulated everywhere in the country because the region has a rare mix of urban and rural constituencies. He also says that the region assumes importance as many politically significant constituencies like Amethi and Dhaurahra are located here.

BJP’s staggering near 50% vote share indicates change in usual caste politics, party’s influence across communities

The BJP won a staggering 42 percent of the votes in Uttar Pradesh in 2014. It held on to this three years later, taking 41 percent in 2017’s Assembly election. Staggering because such a large vote share has not been required to win Uttar Pradesh before. The Samajwadi Party had won a full majority in 2012 with 29 percent of the vote.

Modi’s post-caste coalition seems to have changed the game. Mayawati secured 20 percent of the votes in 2014 but won zero seats. The Samajwadi Party got 22 percent and won only five. If there is a total transfer of votes from one party to another, or vice versa, in their alliance this time, the two sides are dead even in their match-up. In that sense, it will be a match between the old caste politics and something new, which we have not fully understood.

At one point of time, Congress used to be the Indian party that was above caste. It did claim to represent Dalit, Muslim and Adivasi interests, but it was never a caste-based party. The BJP appears to have fully taken over this post-caste identity, though with the important qualification that it only seeks Hindu votes.

Smriti Irani alleges poll rigging in Amethi, tweets video of woman claiming she was forced to vote for Rahul Gandhi 

Smriti Irani has shared a video of a woman claiming she wanted to vote for BJP but someone forcefully put her finger on the hand symbol. Irani tweeted the video alleging Rahul Gandhi is ensuring booth capturing.  

Alert @ECISVEEP Congress President @RahulGandhi ensuring booth capturing. https://t.co/KbAgGOrRhI

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) May 6, 2019

Watch: BJP’s Rae Bareli candidate Dinesh Singh asks voters to vote for BJP 

BJP’s Rae Bareli candidate tells voters to vote for Modi 

In a possible case of poll code violation, BJP’s candidate from Rae Bareli, Dinesh Singh said, “EVM malfunctions have reported from many places, but I have talked to the officials and they have assured that they would be replacing those EVMs soon. I appeal to the residents of Rae Bareli to press the Lotus symbol and make a Modi-sarkaar again.” 

Campaigning for votes, or promoting any party or candidate while polling is underway is against the Model Code of Conduct. However, the poll panel will not examine the situation until a rival party reports the issue. 

Input by Asghar Naqui/101Reporters

Good Samaritans aid voters in hot summer mornings 

Youths of the Marwari Yuva Sangha are providing free rides and cold water to the people going to cast their vote in Bahraich.

Input by Azeem Mirza

Amethi Lok Sabha Election Latest update 

Smriti Irani’s feisty approach, Rahul Gandhi’s cameo appearances split families’ preferences

The Nehru-Gandhi family struck a special chord with the people of Amethi after Sanjay Gandhi first came here in 1977 to contest the parliamentary election that year. He lost that election in the Janata wave, but three years later, he won from the seat. Since then, Amethi has become a family bastion.  

After travelling to various parts of the Amethi parliamentary constituency and talking to a cross-section of people, Firstpost found that the breach in the relationship between the Nehru-Gandhi family and families in Amethi has now sharpened further. Voting preferences of families have seen a split, and this is particularly so for upper-caste families, who had so far stood solidly behind the Congress. This is not a sudden development. The desire of the people to voice individual concerns and choices has become very powerful, particularly among women and people below 40 years of age. This has led to surprise and dismay among parents and grandparents of young persons.

Between “bhaiyya” (Rahul Gandhi) and “didi” (Smriti Irani), the latter has become the choice of those voicing defiance against elders’ dikats.

9.86% turnout till 10.00 am; Rahul’s  Amethi sees lowest participation amid 14 constituencies

Amid reports of EVM glitches, nearly 10 percent turnout was recorded Monday in the first two hours of polling in 14 Lok Sabha seats of UP where Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi are in the fray.  Among early voters in the state capital included Home Minister Singh, BSP supremo Mayawati, Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma and DGP OP Singh. 

However, until 10 am, Amethi’s voter turnout in the state was among the lowest at around 8.17 percent.

Barabanki Lok Sabha Election Latest update

Two villages in Barabanki boycott polls 

Residents of two villages under Kamalpur Pahadpur Gram Panchayat, part of Barabanki Lok Sabha constituency have boycotted voting as they demand for a bridge to be built over the Gomti river. Around 1500 voters have not been convinced by the promises made by the administration and are demanding for a written declaration by the District Magistrate.

Input by Syed Rehan Mustafa/101Reporters

Dialogue with voter a challenge for gathbandhan cadres in Uttar Pradesh

Cadres of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party are facing a unique challenge in educating voters this election season. Samajwadi Party (SP) in charge of Mohanlalganj constituency, Faiz Alam says that people who are from weaker section of the society know only who their leader is, and their party symbol. They do not know anything about the contestants. Now that the two parties have allied, it is tough for the party workers to convince people that by pressing the cycle symbol they would still be helping their leader Mayawati, or vice versa. The Gathbandhan’s campaign is more like a workshop than a rally where the party leaders are educating the people to press the right symbol.

Input by Saurabh Sharma, 101Reporters

Elsewhere in the political battlefield…

As polling continues in politically most important state, Nitin Gadkari asserts he is not in PM’s race

Making it clear that he is not in the race for the prime minister’s post, Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said the ruling BJP will win more seats than it had won in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and Narendra Modi will continue to be at the helm. 

“I have said it earlier also that I am not a prime ministerial candidate,” he told reporters in response to a query.

PTI

Barabanki Lok Sabha Election Latest update

Barabanki voters express anger as long wait stretches on for polling to begin; EC officials say EVM snag resolved, voting continues 

Sector Magistrate CP Dubey had to face the ire of voters, who were waiting in the lines since 6 am, after the polling exercise could not start even till 9 am owing to technical snags in the voting machines. However, the presiding officer at booth number 283 of Barabanki has now said that the machines which were not working from the last two hours have been changed and now the voting process is underway smoothly.

Meanwhile, reporters on the ground claim that despite this voting has not begun at Mohammedpur, part of Fatehpur Tehsil, due to technical problems in EVM. 

Input by Syed Rehan Mustafa/101Reporters

Bahraich Lok Sabha Election Latest update

Several reports of EVM malfunction from bahraich

In Bahraich Lok Sabha constituency, EVM malfunction at booth number 108 in Girls Inter College and at booth number 162 in Police Line have halted voting at these two centres. The EC officials are trying to replace these machines. Voting has also been halted at booth number 2 in Indira Shiksha Niketan and booth number 16 in Mahatma Buddha School.

Input Azeem Mirza/101Reporters

Amethi Lok Sabha Election Latest update

Not everyone is Robert Vadra, Smriti Irani responds to Priyanka Gandhi’s ‘bribe’ allegations

“Let Mrs Vadra know that not everyone is like her husband who bribes people,” says Smriti Irani on the bribe allegations leveled by Priyanka Gandhi on her. She further said,“The people are coming in large numbers to vote against the sitting MP Rahul Gandhi who has remained absent from his constituency since a very long time.”

Input by Asgar Naqvi

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election Latest update

WATCH: Noida MLA and Rajnath Singh’s son Pankaj Singh expresses confidence of Modi’s win

Pankaj Singh, son of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the BJP will form the government with majority and again and will go on to win more than 400 seats. He also said that the SP, BSP are fighting for the survival.

Input by Santosh Kumar, 101Reporters 

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

State records 0.87% turnout till 9 am; Kaushambi sees highest participation at 4.64%

The state has recorded 0.87 percent turnout till 9 am in phase 5 voting. Kaushambi parliamentary seat has so far seen the highest voter participation at 4.64 percent. 

Lucknow Lok Sabha Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

WATCH: Rajnath Singh casts his vote in Lucknow

Union Home Minister and Lucknow BJP Candidate Rajnath Singh cast his vote at  polling booth 333 in Scholars’ Home School

‘Confidence or arrogance?’ Smriti Irani calls Rahul Gandhi ‘absentee MP’ in Amethi

Speaking to reporters in Amethi, Smriti Irani lashed out at sitting MP and Congress president Rahul Gandhi for

Rae Bareli Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

Voting yet to begin at two booths in Rae Bareli 

Voting has not begun at booth number 144 and 145 in Bachhrawan assembly segment of Rae Bareli LS constituency due to EVM malfunction. 

Input by Asghar Naqvi/101Reporters

Fatehpur Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

Zero percent voting in Fatehpur’s Jahanpur village

Zero percent voting has been recorded in Jahanpur village, part of Fatehpur Lok Sabha  seat, till 8:00 am. The villagers have boycotted the election in wake of the recent killing of a child, and are awaiting justice.

Input by Devendra Verma/101Reporters

Amethi Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

Key Battles: Rahul Gandhi vs Smriti Irani 

It is perhaps the most eagerly-watched contest of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls with Union Minister Smriti Irani expected to give a tough fight to Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Both the BJP and the Congress have put their might in the campaign. Gandhi’s campaign was bolstered by his sister and party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi. Gandhi’s winning margin had come down considerably when Irani first contested against him from here in 2014.

Irani’s campaign was boosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah who held rallies in the constituency. The result and the margin of victory here will have consequences at the national level. While the BJP has accused Gandhi of not developing the area, the Congress has accused the BJP-led government of stalling projects.

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

Mayawati casts early vote, but keeps up tradition of not speaking to media

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati came out early morning to cast her vote at a polling booth in City Montessori Inter College in Lucknow. However, as media persons chased the veteran Dalit leader for a byte, Mayawati chose to walk away her held high. When urged further, she merely replied with an appeal to voters to come out and cast their vote: “Right to vote should be used for your own good. I appeal all to come out of homes and vote,” the BSP supremo said.  

This was unsurprising for those who have followed the leader’s edia interactions closely. Mayawati’s rallies are long monotones of speeches, her press conferences a one-sided dialogue, where she reads out from a written speech, repeat herself if need be, but never speaks impromptu to the media.

Amethi Lok Sabha Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

Special booth set up in Rahul Gandhi’s Amethi 

Special polling booths have been set up in Amethi to encourage voters to come out in large numbers. See the latest visuals from the prestigious Lok Sabha seat where Rahul Gandhi locks horns with Smriti Irani. 

#Visuals from a polling booth in Amethi; Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Smriti Irani are contesting for the Lok Sabha seat. Voting in 51 parliamentary constituencies across 7 states for 5th phase of #LokSabhaElections2019 to begin at 7 am today. pic.twitter.com/iaFeUjEkZY

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 6, 2019

Sitapur Lok Sabha Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

EVM snags mar voting in early phases of polling in Sitapur

Voting could not be started at booth number 223 Laxmi Nagar polling station due to technical snags in the EVMs. Additionally, VVPAT machines malfunctioned at at booth number 145 and 304 in Sitapur.

Input by Manvendra Malhotra, 101Reporters

Lucknow Lok Sabha Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

Basti DM Raj Shekhar comes down to Lucknow to exercise franchise 

Basti district magistrate Raj Sekhar, who had earlier held the post of Lucknow DM reached Lucknow very early in the morning to exercise his franchise. He has been known for encouraging the voters to come out in large numbers during his tenure.

Input by Gaurav Singh Sengar, 101Reporters

Lucknow Lok Sabha Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

Rajnath Singh casts an early vote

Union Home Minister and Lucknow BJP Candidate Rajnath Singh cast his vote at  polling booth 333 in Scholars’ Home School

ANI 

Lakhimpur Kheri Lok Sabha Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

WATCH: Voters queue up for early morning vote in Lakhimpur Kheri seat 

A good number of people have turned up to vote in the early hours in Dhrauru area in Lakhimpur Kheri Lok Sabha constituency.

Input By Santosh Kumar, 101Reporters

Dhaurahra  Lok Sabha Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

Voting begins in Dhaurahra

Voting begins in Dhaurahra Lok Sabha constituency. Here 16,44,156 voters will decide between Congress veteran Jitin Prasada and Rekha Verma of the BJP. Arshad Siddiqui who is the joint candidate of the opposition alliance of the BSP, Samajwadi Party and RLD is also in the fray. Malkhan Singh is the candidate for Shivpal Yadav’s Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party.

Input by Gopal Gir_i/101Reporters_

Lucknow Lok Sabha Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

Reports of EVM snags start trickling in right at the beginning of polling process 

EVM at booth number 258 in City Montessari School in Lucknow has developed a snag during the mock drill. Looks like, the polling will be delayed by a few minutes at this booth.  

Input by Saurabh Sharma, 101Reporters

Lucknow Lok Sabha Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

In capital Lucknow, contest stays between Rajnath and SP-BSP’s Poonam Sinha

The voting for the fifth phase parliamentary elections has commenced in Uttar Pradesh.  The state capital of Lucknow is going to witness a three-cornered contest between Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Gathbandhan candidate Poonam Sinha and Congress’ Acharya Pramod Krishnam. 

Although the opposition has done a lot of campaigning in Lucknow — Poonam Sinha even roped in daughter Sonakshi — but it very much seems like the Opposition has given a walkover to Rajnath. The Lucknow parliamentary constituency has remained with the Bharatiya Janata Party since 1991 when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee won from this seat. According to political pundits, Rajnath, who is everyone’s favorite in Lucknow because of his humbleness and approachability, stands firm at the pole position. The closest challenge he faces is in BJP rebel Shatrughan Sinha’s wife Poonam.

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

From Sonia Gandhi, Rahul to Rajnath Singh, Phase 5 is all about clash of titans 

Nearly nine crore voters will decide the fate of 674 candidates, including political bigwigs Rajnath Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Smriti Irani, in the fifth phase of polling on Monday in 15 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. 

Congress president Rahul Gandhi is contesting from his family bastion of Amethi, a constituency he has held continuously since 2004. Just like the 2014 Lok Sabha election, he is pitted against Union Minister Smriti Irani. His mother and UPA chairperson Sonia, is once again in fray from the Nehru-Gandhi family bastion of Amethi.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is seeking re-election from Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency.

Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election LIVE updates

14 seats to go to polls in phase 5

The fifth phase of polling in 14 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh Monday will see a clash of titans including Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

The BJP had bagged 12 of these seats in 2014 with the Congress winning Sonia Gandhi’s Rae Bareli and Rahul Gandhi’s Amethi — the only two constituencies where the Congress succeeded out of the 80 in the entire state.