Polling begins for fifth phase of UP polls

Lucknow, Feb 23 (ANI): Polling for the fifth phase of assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh for 49 seats began at 7 a.m. today and will continue till 5 p.m.

Over 1.56 crore voters will be casting their votes in Firozabad, Kanshiram Nagar, Etah, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Ramabainagar, Kanpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Hamirpur and Mahoba districts.

Today's polling would decide the fate of several stalwarts and heavyweights including leader of Opposition in the state assembly Shivpal Singh Yadav, BJP leader Uma Bharti and former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh.

The Election commission has made elaborate arrangements for this phase also.

To check any irregularity at polling stations, 981 video cameras and 2,100 digital cameras have been installed.

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)