We track the latest developments as India goes to the polls.

7.34 pm: India sets a new record for voter turnout

As polling for the Lok Sabha polls came to a close, the Election Commission announced that the voter turnout had beaten the previous highest, NDTV reported.

The EC said that with 66.38 percent turnout, the turnout has surpassed the previous high of 64.01 percent registered in the 1984-85 election, when Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi came to power after his mother, then prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated.

Meanwhile, West Bengal, which had a huge 82 percent turnout in 2009, saw a small dip at 81.77 percent. The EC said that the figures released today were provisional and final figures may see a further hike in the number.

7.15 pm: Bihar voter turnout goes by 12 percent from 2009

The last phase of polling in Bihar saw a whopping increase in voter turnout--of about 12 percent when compared with the last LS polls. An average 56.67 percent of voters cast their votes in the last phase of polling which was held in six parliamentary constituencies of Bihar.

A maximum of 60 percent of voters cast their votes in West Champaran, followed by 57.5 percent voting in Vaishali, 57 percent in Valmikinagar, 56 percent each in Siwan and East Chamaparan and 54 percent in Gopalganj.-Firstpost's Manoj Kumar from Patna

6.05 pm: Murli Manohar Joshi defends Cong's Ajai Rai

BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi today snubbed party leaders making a big issue out of Congress Varanasi candidate Ajay Rai displaying the party symbol at a poll booth, saying it was a "small thing"

As BJP and AAP sought action against Rai for wearing his election symbol on his kurta, Joshi said, "For some people it (Rai wearing Congress symbol) may be a big thing. There is no big thing in that.

"Who doesn't know their (Congress) election symbol? Everybody takes hand with them, will you cut their hands? I feel that a party (BJP) which is winning with such a big margin should not look into these small things. It will not have an effect on a single vote," he said.

5.19 pm: 50% turnout in Varanasi by 5 pm, UP sees peaceful polling

Polling was likely to touch a new high at the end of the sixth phase of voting in Uttar Pradesh. At 5 pm the turn out was at an average of 47 percent with Varanasi witnessing a high figure of 50 percent. Voting is likely to continue till 6 pm.

No major incident was reported from anywhere.

Reports indicated that voting was influenced by communal polarization in many constituencies including Azamgarh.-Firstpost's Ratan Mani Lal from Lucknow

5.15 pm: EC issues notice to Ashok Chavan in paid news case

Election Commission issued notice to former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan in the paid news case and called him on 23 May for hearing.

EC also issued notice to former Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda for allegedly submitting incorrect account of election expenses and called him on the same date.

5.09 pm: Two women voters arrested for casting bogus votes in Bihar

Undeterred by scorching summer heat and threats by some leaders, a relatively huge numbers of voters cast their votes in the sixth and final round of the sixth-phase parliamentary elections in Bihar today.

A very interesting feature of today's polling was the arrest of two women voters who were found casting bogus votes at a booth in Vaishali parliamentary constituency.

An average 51 percent of voters had cast their votes till 4 pm in Bihar, much to the satisfaction of the poll panel which worked hard to create awareness among them about the voting rights.

A maximum of 54 percent voters cast their votes in Vaishali, followed by 53 percent each in Valmikinagar and east Chamaparan, 52 percent in west Champaran, 48 percent in Siwan and 45.74 in Gopalganj.-Firstpost's Manoj Kumar, Patna

4.24 pm: EC sends rejoinder to ET for news report claiming Irani may be disqualified

In a rejoinder to the Economic Times , the Election Commission said that the report claiming that BJP's Amethi candidate Smriti Irani may be disqualified had been "taken out of context" and is misleading.

EC has said that the report has used certain facts out of context and the expenses of all candidates will only be examined after the election results have been declared.

You can view the EC's rejoinder here.

4.07 pm: Smriti Irani may be disqualified for overspending

ANI reported that BJP's Amethi candidate Smriti Irani may be disqualified for overspending. Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad was quoted as saying, "Heard Smriti Irani may be disqualified for overspending. No notice has been served."

3.47 pm: 44.75 percent turnout in Varanasi by 3 pm, 44.5 percent in Uttar Pradesh

By 3pm, 44.75 percent of Varanasi's electorate had cast their ballots. In West Bengal, turnout 67.34 percent turnout was recorded by 3 pm, 47.14 percent in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh saw a turnout of 44.5 percent, IBN Live reported.

In Uttar Pradesh, despite the searing heat there were people waiting at polling stations in Gorakhpur and Kushinagar where present MPs Yogi Adityanath and Union minister RPN Singh cast their votes a little before midday.

BJP leaders Kalraj Mishra and Jagdambika Pal also voted in Deoria and Domariaganj

The Election Commission ordered filing of an FIR against Ajay Rai in Varanasi for sporting the Congress symbol while going to vote.-Firstpost's Ratan Mani Lal in Lucknow.

3.17 pm: Narendra Modi will win by a huge margin, says BJP

The BJP organised a press conference to counter Congress' poll code violation allegations. While rubbishing most of their allegations, Ravi Sankar Prasad said that these were ploys to mislead voters. "Narendra Modi will win in Varanasi by a huge margin,"he declared.

2.40 pm: 35% voter turnout in Varanasi, 37% in Bihar

37.81 percent of the voters in Bihar came out to vote till 1pm this afternoon, while an overwhelming 56 percent of the electorate came out to vote in West Bengal till 1 pm.

In Uttar Pradesh, 29.20 percent cast their vote.

2.10 pm: Amid violence, 56.38% of West Bengal voters cast their vote

While violent clashes were reported between TMC and CPM party workers, crude bombs were found outside the residence of BJP MLA and former deputy Kolkata mayor Meena Devi Purohit. The bombs did not explode.

Average turnout in West Bengal till 1 pm was 56.38%. Berhampur 51.72 percent; Krishnanagar 57.37 percent; Ranaghat 55.50 percent; Bangaon 58.30 percent; Barrackpore 58.84 percent; Dumdum 53.30 percent; Barasat 56.98 percent; Basirhat 55.80 percent; Joynagar 54.25 percent.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/465769554883268608

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/465771966067003392

2.00 pm: 'Whoever wins, it will be good for Benaras'

It is Varanasi's good fortune that such diggaj leaders are standing from here says Dr Anuradha Khanna gynaecologist head at BHU who came to vote with her husband Dr AK Khanna, surgery head. Their polling station, just steps away from Kejriwal's Durgakund residence.

Refusing to speculate about the fight, Anuradha Khanna said her duty was to be a good citizen. "Rest is in God's hands. I think whoever wins will be good for Benaras." - Firstpost's Sandip Roy

1.55 pm: Varanasi sees 30% voter turnout till 12.30 pm

Voting continued at a steady pace in all 18 seats in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The poll percentage crossed 30 in Varanasi by 12.30 pm.

The situation continued to be peaceful in all places. Complaints of missing names from electoral rolls caused heated discussions in many polling stations including those in Varanasi. - Ratan Mani Lal, Lucknow.

1.30 pm: Congress complains to EC over Modi's video message

The Congress today complained against BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi releasing a video message on social media, appealing to voters to come out and vote in Varanasi.

Congress's Ajay Maken said it was a clear violation of the model code of conduct and action must be taken against him. "How can the channels show Modi's speech today in violation of the code of conduct? Election Commission should take cognisance immediately."

In his video message, Modi had said: "Our democracy and traditions should become more pure. India, its citizens and democracy should win after these elections. "

"People from Varanasi should vote in huge numbers for sustaining democracy. We have to contribute to India's destiny," he said.

1.12 pm: Bihar sees 30.97% voter turnout till 12 pm

A legislator from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD-U seriously assaulted some voters at a polling booth in Bihar today for daring to vote against the ruling party. The incident occurred at booth number 205 located at Basdila village in Gopalganj parliamentary constituency.

Media reports said JD-U legislator Amarendra Kumar Pandey alias Pappu Pandey who represents Kuchaikot seat in Bihar assembly had asked the voters of his constituency either to stay put in their home or vote for his party. Defying his diktat, however, some villagers came out of their homes to reach the nearby booth when in the meantime the legislator accosted the villagers and assaulted them badly, as a result of which some of them sustained severe injuries. His bodyguards also beat them mercilessly.

Of them, the condition of one of the victim is stated to be very critical. The victim who has been identified as Jayram Tiwari has been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Senior police and administrative officials have rushed to the spot soon after getting the information. The said lawmaker is the brother of deeded gangster Satish Pandey now cooling his heels in the jail

Similarly, the angry voters created ruckus at another booth in the same parliamentary constituency after a group of influential persons forced the voters to vote for a particular party. Meanwhile, voting percentage touched 31 at 12 pm.

Gopalganj district located in north-eastern part of the state has given three chief ministers to Bihar - Abdul Ghafoor, Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi. - Firstpost correspondent Manoj Kumar, Patna

https://twitter.com/sandipr/status/465735894461190144

12.59 pm: Voters protests deletion of names for voting list

Around a hundred voters protested in Varanasi as they could not find their name on the electoral list. All eyes are on Varanasi as BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi is contesting against AAP's Arvind Kejriwal and Congress's Ajai Rai.

All parties expect voter turnout to be much higher than 2009's 43 percent.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/465755936594751488

12.55 pm: Modi, Kejriwal should come together against bhrashtachar

In 1942 BS Vajpayee took a bullet in his side for trying to throw stones at Kotwal's house in Varanasi.

Now 81, he still has the scar. He has since retired from BHU. "I am sorry to say honesty and sincerity are regarded as punishment in this country. I am hoping this election can make a difference and we can expect a better future but I personally feel Modi and Kejriwal should come together as one against bhrastachar and one for development. We need booth and that would be for the good of the country," he says. - Firspost editor Sandip Roy.

12.48 pm: 'If Kejriwal wasn't here, Rai would win by 50,000 votes'

If Arvind Kejriwal was not in the race I can tell you clearly Ajay Rai would win here by 40-50,000 votes says Govind Sharma, ward commissioner for Congress in Assi.

"Let me be clear. Kejriwal is only helping the BJP. He says there us some confusion becayse BJP has falsely created impression that people are choosing PM directly."

He also says of many Muslim committees the waqf committee led by Madani supported Kejriwal. While others have not announced their support to any particular candidate, Sharma claims that last night a group asked Muslims to support Rai. He says in the nine booths he is overseeing AAP is not much in evidence. - Firstpost editor Sandip Roy reports.

12.40 pm: EC must take action against Rai, it's clear violation, says BJP

While veteran BJP leader MM Joshi may have dismissed Ajai Rai's action as minor, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad demanded that action be taken against Rai for it was a clear violation of the RPA.

"He (Rai) wore the symbol beyond the 300 feet prohibited zone. Will the EC take appropriate action? The EC approach should not give any indication of discrimination. This is clearly an offence," Prasad told reporters today. Read more here.



12.12 pm: EC asks Varanasi Returning Officer to file FIR against Ajai Rai

The Election Commission has directed Varanasi Returning Officer to file an FIR/complaint against Congress candidate Ajai Rai for displaying party symbol at polling booth, under section 126 and 130 of the Representation of People's Act.

Earlier in the day, the EC had submitted its probe report to the Delhi office after the BJP allegedly complained that Ajai Rai had worn the Congress symbol on his kurta while entering the polling booth.

Ajai Rai defended himself saying he was not aware that he could not wear the party symbol, and for him it was a matter of routine.

Speaking to reporters after the EC ordered a probe against him, Rai said, "I'm a Congress candidate and I wear the symbol everyday. When I step out of my house, I have the symbol on my clothes. I was unaware of this rule."

On his party's reaction to Modi flashing the BJP symbol when Gujarat went to polls, Rai said: "I haven't been carrying the symbol around in my hand. It was just on my kurta like it is everyday."

When asked what his next step would be if he is disqualified, "We'll see what happens if and when it happens," he said.

12.07 pm: Over 27 percent voting in Varanasi, can they beat last years record?

The voting percentage in most seats continued to rise with Varanasi, Kushinagar, Azamgarh, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur and Deoria recording above 27 percent polling.

In rest of the seats, the polling was below 25 percent.

In largely rural constituencies like Bansgaon, Maharajganj, Mirzapur and Domariaganj the polling was around 22 percent.

Day temperature was expected to touch 43 degrees C because of which polling was likely to be slow in the next couple of hours.

Students were seen going to cast their votes in Varanasi in groups. - Firstpost's Ratan Mani Lal, Lucknow.

Over 41 percent turnout was recorded in the initial hours in 17 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal and about 18 percent in six constituencies of Bihar. On an average 41.2 percent polling was recorded in the first four hours of polling, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta said.

12.00 pm: 25 percent voting in Bihar till 11 am, despite heatwave

Rare enthusiasm is being seen among the voters in Bihar to elect their leaders. Despite unbearable heat with mercury soaring to 43 degree Celsius in the day, the enthusiastic voters were seen turning up in large numbers to exercise their franchise, many without having their breakfast.

Voter enthusiasm was seen right since the polling started at 7 am. In the first hour, the voting percentage was recorded at non-impressive 4.33 but by 9, it soon touched 11.39 percent. By 10, it touched 17 percent and finally it reached 24.56 at 11 am till last reports came in.

More than the candidates, the last round of election is turning out to be shadow boxing between RJD chief Lalu Prasad and BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi. One of the six constituencies going to poll is Gopalganj which is also the home district of Lalu. Likewise, his prestige is at stake in East Champaran where he has given a ticket to his aide Binod Srivastava while in Siwan, he has fielded Heena Shahab, wife of Mohammad Shahabuddin. - Firspost's Manoj Kumar, Patna.

11.15 am: Narendra Modi exists because of BJP, says MM Joshi

"This election is about BJP, Narendra Modi is because of the BJP", Murli Manhohar Joshi tells NDTV.

'I would be happy if Modi retains Varanasi', said the former MP from the constituency. He also said that it was the "BJP which decided that it would be better if Modi contests Varanasi."

On Congress candidate Ajai Rai pining his party's symbol to his kurta, Joshi said it shouldn't be such a big deal for a party that's sure of winning a majority.

"Everyone takes their hand into poll booth, should we cut it off?... A party which is winning with huge majority should not bother about such small things," Joshi said.

Joshi, who has been critical of BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi in the past, had to vacate his seat for Modi and is now contesting from Kanpur.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/465729188192727042

10.55 am: Modi will boost economy, give us jobs, says first time voter Vartika

Vartika Singh is a first time voter. She says she didn't imagine her first election would be so exciting. Even her friends are not interested in politics or are excited.

More excitingly both Modi and Kejriwal made a strong pitch for the youth vote but she says for her Modi wins out because she thinks employment and economy will grow more under him. - Sandip Roy, Firstpost

10.45 am: Flashing poll symbol is a violation, says EC

Election Commission observer Praveen Kumar has reacted to the complaint filed by the BJP against Congress candidate Ajai Rai, saying a report of the incident has been sent to Delhi.

"Flashing of party symbol is violation of election rules. A report is being sent on the matter to the EC in Delhi," he said.

However, Times Now reports that the BJP has not filed a complaint as yet and may not do so for now.

Interestingly, Congress ally in the UPA, the NCP also reacted to the Ajai Rai controversy saying action should be taken against him if found guilty.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/465723097576771584

10.40 am: 'Modi may win Varanasi but victory belongs to Kejriwal'

Government employee Naushad Khan says he thinks Narendra Modi's chances of winning are 98 percent. But "in a ring, if a kid puts up a real fight against a pehlwan the victory might be the pehlwan's but the bahaduri belongs to the boy," he says.

10.25 am: BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi arrives to vote in Varanasi

Varanasi's incumbent MP and BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi arrived to cast his vote in the city this morning. Joshi, who has been critical of BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi in the past, had to vacate his seat for Modi and is now contesting from Kanpur.

He has largely stayed away from campaigning for Modi in his constituency and was not present when Modi filed his nomination for the Varanasi seat.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/465715413565702145

10.10 am: 'No one told me I can't wear party symbol'

Reacting to the complaint filed by the BJP against him sporting the Congress symbol at a polling booth, Ajai Rai today said he was unaware that the party symbol could not be used inside the polling centre.

"Nobody told me that a candidate can't wear the party symbol to the polling booth.. I am a party candidate, I can wear the symbol.. I wore party symbol as part of a routine," he reportedly said.

10.05 am: Varanasi peaceful, first time voters out to vote

Unprecedented enthusiasm among voters was seen in the first couple of hours in most of the 18 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh where polling began on a brisk note this morning.

Long queues of voters had formed as soon as polling stations opened in the cooler first half of the day in Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Ghosi, Ghazipur and Azamgarh.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/465692928208142338

A large number of first time voters dominated the turn out in all places, most visibly in Varanasi where Narendra Modi of the Bharatiya Janata Party is locked in a three way contest with Arvind Kejriwal and Ajai Rai.

The display of the Congress symbol pinned to his kurta by Ajai Rai while standing in the queue evoked curiosity whether it would attract a response by the Election Commission.

Additional security personnel had been deployed in all places with special focus on Maoist hit districts of Chandauli, Robertsganj and Mirzapur. - Firstpost correspondent Ratan Mani Lal, Lucknow.

https://twitter.com/sandipr/status/465718508249030657

10.05 am: Brisk voting in Bihar, 11.39% voting till 9 am

Polling for the last six Lok Sabha seats of Bihar began on a peaceful note today with the main contest appearing to have boiled down between Lalu Prasad's RJD and the BJP. An average 11.39 percent of voters cast their votes in the first two hours since the polling began at 7 in the morning.

Long queues of voters were seen at most of the polling booths in Bihar. Majority of the voters looked in a hurry to cast their votes before the rising temperature in the day could spoil their enthusiasm. In the past few days, temperature has shot up to 43 degree Celsius in Bihar.

The prominent candidates whose fate will be decided by voters include former Union ministers Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Raghunath Jha, filmmaker Prakash Jha, Heena Shahab and Annu Shukla, the last two being the wives of jailed dons. While Heena is the wife of controversial former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, Shukla is wife of jailed JD-U leader Munna Shukla who has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the killing of a former RJD minister Brij Bihari Prasad.

"I am confident of my victory since the voters are my family. I even consider my adversaries as my brothers," said Heena Shahab, indicating she had slowly learnt the tricks of the trade. - Firstpost correspondent Manoj Kumar, Patna.

9.55 am: BJP giving out food packets to woo voters?

In Varanasi, a first time voter Naseer says the BJP gave out food packets with puris and rasgolla in his neighborhood.

"Bechara Aam Aadmi Party has no money... could give nothing!" he tells our editor Sandip Roy.

9.50 am: BJP showing double standards, says Cong after EC complaint

With the BJP filing a complaint with the Election Commission against Congress's Ajai Rai, the Congress has hit out at the party saying it was a clear case of double standards.

"BJP earlier said if Modi was wearing lotus symbol then its nothing wrong, now they are saying take action against Ajai Rai", Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal said.

Meanwhile, the EC has said that it would examine video footage of Ajai Rai and necessary action will be taken against him if he's found guilty, NDTV reported.

9.45 am: 20 percent voter turnout in Varanasi, in first two hours of polling

The first two hours of polling in Varanasi saw 20 percent of the electorate come out and vote. In 2009 Lok Sabha polls, the seat saw a mere 43 percent voter turnout.

This time, however, the constituency is likely to see a huge turnout given that it is the most watched contest between BJP's Narendra Modi and AAP's Arvind Kejriwal.

9.32 am: BJP complains to EC over Ajai Rai sporting Congress badge

The BJP and AAP have reportedly lodged a complaint with the Election Commission over Congress candidate Ajai Rai pining the Congress party's symbol to his kurta within 100m of the polling station.

He was speaking to reporters while in the queue to cast his vote.

The Congress party had earlier raised an objection to Modi flashing the BJP party symbol -lotus- when Gujarat went to polls in an earlier phase.

The EC then ordered a probe and found Modi guilty of violating the model code of conduct.

9.25 am: Violent clashes between TMC-CPM reported in West Bengal

Clashes between party workers of Trinamool Congress and the CPM haven been reported in Haroa Basirhat, West Bengal where polling is on.

At least four people have been hospitalised, CNN-IBN reported. The police have reached the spot and firing to control the crowd has begun.

9.20 am: 'No one can stop development if Modi is PM'

"If Modi becomes PM there will be development in all fields from business to tourism. No one can stop it. This is a special election between the man who wants to be PM and the man who surprisingly became CM of Delhi," says Manju Kesari , resident of Sivala.

9.10 am: Should candidates be allowed to contest from 2 seats?

In a discussion on CNN-IBN with its editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai, senior journalist Paranjo Guha Thakurta advocated for disallowing candidates from contesting two seats in a single election.

"The law should be changed, one candidate should contest from only one constituency," he said.

9.00 am: In Chandauli, laptop with Mulayam's photo inside poll booth

In what could be trouble for the Samajwadi Party, a laptop inside a polling booth in Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh has a photo of the SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh Yadav.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/465695091512733696

8.47 am: Varanasi will vote for intelligent candidates, says Kejriwal

AAP's Varanasi candidate Arvind Kejriwal today said he was confident of defeating Narendra Modi while dismissing Congress's Ajai Rai saying he was nowhere in the contest. He has been shuttling between polling booths to ensure there are no poll violations.

"Over the last few days, people are saying Modi will lose... the people of Kashi will vote for honest candidates this time," Kejriwal said.

"This battle is about price rise and corruption, we will win Varanasi."

8.30 am: Here's a look at the 2009 results of Varanasi

BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi won the Varanasi seat with 30.52 percent of the voteshare, with Mukhtar Ansari who had contested on a BSP ticket came a close second with 27.94 percent of votes.

8.18 am: Can TMC retain 14 of 17 seats going to polls today?

In West Bengal, while the ruling Trinamool Congress would strive to retain all 14 of the 17 seats it had won in the 2009 Lok Sabha election, the Left Front's efforts would be to wrest some among the 17 which it had lost last time.

An electorate of 2,55,75,744 is eligible to vote in the crucial round.

Central paramilitary forces would be deployed at all hyper-critical booths, while arrangement has been made for web casting and videography.

The 17 Lok Sabha constituencies are Beharampore, Krishnagar, Ranaghat, Bongaon, Barrackpore, Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jaynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata (South), Kolkata (North), Tamluk, Contai and Ghatal. -PTI

8.00 am: Tough battle for Mulayam in Azamgarh

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, besides sticking to his traditional bastion in Mainpuri, has thrown his hat into the ring from Azamgarh too, which votes today.

However, unlike Mainpuri, Azamgarh may not be a cakewalk for him as he faces a tough fight from BSP's Shah Alam alias Guddu Jamali, Rastriya Ulema Council Chief Aamir Rashadi Madani, and Mulayam's former associate Ramakant Yadav, who is now fighting on a BJP ticket.

While Mulayam is banking on his traditional Muslim-Yadav vote bank, division of Muslim votes by Madani and Guddu Jamali could benefit Ramakant.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/465683999264743424

7.40 am: TMC will be third largest party, says Derek O'Brien

A confident sounding TMC MP Derek O'Brien said his party will emerge as the third largest come 16 May. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Derek said the people of West Bengal will vote for the TMC as it has provided a government that has a track record of performance.

"People voting in large numbers, TMC will be the third largest party in Lok Sabha," he said.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/465675973287882752

7.30 am: Go out and vote, Modi appeals to youth

In an early morning tweet, BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi urged voters to come out and cast their vote along with their family and friends.

"Today is final phase of 2014 Polls. Urging all those voting in 41 seats across 3 states & Assembly by-polls in WB to vote in large numbers," he tweeted.

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/465669127416197121

7.20 am: Varanasi won't vote for outsiders, says Ajai Rai

Speaking to reporters early this morning before casting his vote, Congress candidate Ajai Rai said the people of Varanasi do not need an outsider to come to the city and they will vote for him as he is one of their own.

"People of Varanasi will not choose a candidate who can't even vote in Varanasi, who are like tenants... they will vote for their own brother.. my doors are always open to the people," Rai said, while adding that there was "no Modi wave in the city but only a Ganga wave".

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/465670800528273408

7.00 am: Varanasi, Azamgarh, Kolkata go to polls today

It's the final phase of Lok Sabha elections and perhaps one that will be most watched. Varanasi, the seat where BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi is contesting against AAP's Arvind Kejriwal and Congress's Ajai Rai will vote for their representative.

Of the 41 seats, 18 are going to polls in Uttar Pradesh, 17 in West Bengal and six in Bihar.

In West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress has 14 seats, while Congress, CPI and Independent have one each.

In neighbouring Bihar, six seats are up for grabs. Of them, BJP and the ruling Janata Dal (United) have two each, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Independent have one each.

Prominent among those in the fray in today's polling are Union Minister Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary (Behrampur- West Bengal), BJP leader Jagdambika Pal (Domariyaganj), Union Minister RPN Singh (Kushi Nagar- both UP) and former minister and RJD leader Raghuvanh Prasad Singh (Vaishali-Bihar).

Updates for 11 May end

5.25 pm: Lesser Modi speaks the better for India, says Mayawati



BSP chief Mayawati today hit out at Narendra Modi saying his silence was more powerful than his words, saying the lesser he speaks the better.

"Modi had said his silence is powerful. He is right. The lesser he speaks the better for his image and for the country," Mayawati said.

"Most of what Modi says are lies. He has not only been lying to the whole country, but to the people of Varanasi as well. We have reports that people who were at Modi's roadshow were BJP supporters from outside Varanasi," she said.

She also said that while the NDA hits out at the UPA over and over again regarding the country's security, it wasn't successful in the area in its tenure. "Before the UPA, when the NDA was in power security of the country was most vulnerable," she said.

4.26 pm: UPA broke the trust of people, says Rajnath Singh

BJP president Rajnath Singh hit out at the UPA government saying they had failed to perform as a government and curb corruption and price rise.

During a press conference in Varanasi, Singh said, "The people of the country believe that Congress-led UPA has failed to tackle price rise, inflation and corruption.The country is angry with the UPA."

Singh also said that there were parties apart from the Congress that were polarising the elections. "Parties are trying to play politics of polarisation so that attention is diverted from BJP's agenda of development and progress," he said and added,"However those parties are going through depression now."

Heaping praise on Narendra Modi Singh said, "Fortunately BJP's PM candidate Modi is trusted by people of the country. Congress-led UPA has broken the trust of people."

2.20 pm: Modi doesn't know the power of India, says Rahul

Slamming Modi for his remarks that India has not changed in 60 years, Rahul said what Modi needed was to show respect for the country and its people.

"I saw a poster with Modi's face that said "I will give women power... not us, but I... he comes and gives you speeches and says you'll (Congress) haven't done anything for 60 years.. he tells farmers 'who are you all.. for 60 years you all are sleeping...' US President has said India is growing like a tiger.. but Modi is saying that India has not grown. Modi says make me a watchman... he tells women you have no power... I will give you power. He knows nothing about India.. India's women don't need power... they have it already.. they have it in their hearts and hands.... no one from about can give you power.. but instead what he needs to give is respect... you need to stop sending men behind women... tapping their phones... you have to stop that... give India some respect."

We can never say you have done nothing for 60 years.. that I will come and fight for you... people of India have fought every day... we don't have that right to come and say you'll have done nothing."

2.10 pm: Rahul takes on Modi, says Adani gets preference over Air Force

Hitting out at the BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi, Rahul said the Gujarat government favoured industrialists over government agencies. "They gave Adani land at the rate of Re 1, but when Air Force asks for land, they charge them Rs. 1000. Whose money is this? Isn't it your money?"

"This country runs on love and inclusiveness not on hatred among communities..."

'People are jobless because UP govt doesn't care'

"In Muzaffarnagar, they made one community fight the other six months before elections... In this way the country cannot move ahead," Rahul said, adding that India's youth wants to move ahead but there were no opportunities.

Quoting Barack Obama, Rahul said the US was scared of China and India because the youth were powerful and willing to work, but here the government was not interested in your well being.

"We need gadgets and cars that say 'made in Chandauli'... not made in China where the money goes to Chinese youth," he said.

1.30 pm: Rahul address rally in Chandauli

After a road show that saw thousands of Congress supporters gather in Varanasi, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in support of his candidate Ajai Rai on the outskirts of Chandauli, Varanasi.

Highlighting the achievements of the UPA government, Rahul spoke about the Land Acquisition Act which gives farmers whose land has been acquired four times the market rate.

He also spoke about MNREGA, saying every year the government allocates Rs 30,000 cr to ensure people get jobs for 100 days at a fixed rate.

On his government's pet legislation - the Right to Food Act, Rahul said in a country where the poor work the most, no one should sleep hungry.

Clarifying that his government was not against industries, Rahul said there needs to be a partnership between the farmers and the corporates, only then will the country grow inclusively.

Pitching for universal healthcare, Rahul said if his party was voted to power, he will ensure that the every poor person gets free treatment and medicines.

12.27 pm: Thousands of supporters greet Rahul on last leg of road show

The last leg of Rahul's Varanasi roadshow saw a massive crowd gather at the Madan Mohan Malviya statue where Rahul culminated his show.

Rahul then garlanded the statue of Malviya, who has been the Congress president for four terms. He is now expected to hold a rally.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/465025267694444545

12.00 pm: After refusing to endorse Modi, Bismillah Khan's family joins Rahul rally

His kin refused to be among those endorsing Narendra Modi's candidature for the Varanasi seat saying they did not want to be a part of active politics, but Rahul's road show today saw Bismillah's family perform for the Congress's candidate Ajai Rai.

"We are not politically supporting Rahul, we were told that Rahul was coming and he wanted to hear us play, so we agreed to perform... He's our guest and we wanted to welcome him... we are ready to perform for any other leader," Bismillah Khan's grandson said.

https://twitter.com/sandipr/status/465033504729075712

10.30 am: BJP cries foul, says Rahul's rally same path where Modi sought permission

BJP's Arun Jaitley on Saturday suggested that the Election Commission was biased in letting Rahul Gandhi's roadshow in Varanasi, as it is passing through the same route where Modi was denied a rally.

"Rahul Gandhi's roadshow is happening in the same area of Varanasi where we were not allowed to hold a rally," he said.

Party spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi also expressed her displeasure saying Rahul could hold 50 rallies but the BJP should be treated equally.

"Rahul ji can hold 50 roadshows,no issue,but denying us permission and allowing him is wrong," Lekhi said.

https://twitter.com/sandipr/status/464998866199130112

10.00 am: Don't just hold rallies, come meet us, say BHU students

With three rallies in three days, the students of Benaras Hindu University, which has now become the epicentre of campaigning in Varanasi, have expressed their displeasure with the number of roadshows in the city saying leaders should come and speak to them.

"Instead of just holding roadshows in the city, they should come and address us, have discussions with us... We have exams going on and these roadshows don't help," a student whose identity was not yet known, told CNN-IBN.

https://twitter.com/sandipr/status/465031553832067072

9.20 am: Thousands throng Varanasi for Rahul's roadshow

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi held a huge roadshow in Varanasi for his party candidate Ajay Rai. Sitting atop a campaign vehicle, Rahul was seen waving to his party supporters along with Rai.

Rahul's rally will pass through Lanka Gate, where Modi was denied permission to campaign.

On Friday, AAP's Arvind Kejriwal, who is also a candidate from the same seat, held a roadshow in the city. Today is the last day for campaigning as the seat goes to polls on 12 May.

https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/464989736512143361

Updates for 8 May end

8.14 pm: Why no action on Rahul for entering poll booth? BJP asks EC

Accusing EC of adopting "double standards", BJP today asked why no action was taken against Rahul Gandhi for entering EVM area of polling booths in Amethi when suo moto action of registering an FIR was taken against Narendra Modi for addressing press near a booth last week.

The BJP feels the EC has not been acting in a "fair and neutral" manner as far as party, particularly its Prime Ministerial candidate, are concerned.

BJP, including Modi, has "genuine grievance" against the EC, said a senior leader on condition of anonymity.

"There is an FIR against Modi, FIR against (TDP leader) Chandrababu Naidu, but no FIR against the Congress leader... Because, the king can do no wrong, says an old saying," BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu told reporters sarcastically.

He said Rahul, contesting from Amethi, had gone to EVM enclosures during polling hours but there was no action against him.

7.24 pm: Security issues only in Varanasi? Modi questions EC

Even as the CEC was holding a press conference defending their decision on Modi's rally, the Gujarat CM questioned them saying why do they speak of security issues only in Varanasi.

"I hold meetings in so many places. So security issues only exist in Varanasi? And if I am ready to die what is their problem?," ANI quoted Narendra Modi as saying.

Modi, according to ANI, went on to say, "That's not all, they stopped me from going to Ma Ganga I am bound by the Constitution and that's why I will tolerate your unfairness. But the people will give a fitting response."

6.05 pm: Massive crowd greets Modi in Varanasi

A sea of people, greeted Narendra Modi as he landed in Varanasi today. Despite a cancelled rally and Ganga aarti, Modi landed at BHU's helipad and his cavalcade made its way through massive crowds to go the the BJP's party office in the city.

5.42 pm: EC can't make you will, Modi tells Congress

As the Election Commission defended their decision on the Narendra Modi rally in Varanasi, BJP's prime ministerial candidate hit out at Congress.

"People don't accept you, EC can't make you win," Modi said.

5.36 pm: BJP, TMC workers clash near BHU

A scuffle today broke out between Trinamool congress and BJP workers in front of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) where the saffron party staged a protest over the refusal of permission for Narendra Modi's rally here.

The incident took place when Trinamool congress candidate Indra Tiwari was canvassing in the area and reached near the BHU main gate, where BJP leader Arun Jaitley, Amit Shah and BJP workers were staging a protest, police sources said.

When Tiwari was passing from through the crowd where dharna was going on, some of BJP supporters handed her party pamphlets, which she torn enraging them.

This was followed by heated arguments between BJP supporters and TMC candidate and her supporters leading to a scuffle.

TMC workers alleged that they and Indira were beaten by BJP supporters.

However, police said that no formal complaint has been received so far in this regard.

5.19 pm: Won't transfer Varanasi returning officer, says EC

The CEC has also said that the Returning Officer in Varanasi would not be transfered.

"The EC will be fair in treating official and complaints from party also. Only if we feel cancellation of a official is necessary for free polls is needed, then we will do it," said the CEC.

The BJP had yesterday alleged that the Returning Officer was partisan in his approach and should be transfered.

5.00 pm: A free and fair elections is a national heritage for all Indians, says Sampath

"So far during this election period over 3,000 public meetings conducted across country", continues the CEC, adding that he would expect political parties to understand that permission for campaign facilities should be asked with due notice.

"I deplore any attempt by anyone to cast aspersions on constitutional institutions like the EC that can cause long term damage to the independence and neutrality of the commission. We would hope that political parties will cooperate with the commission in helping conduct a free and fair election", Sampath added.

4.55 pm: EC is not afraid of anyone or any political party, says commissioner

Election commissioner VS Sampath has said that the EC cannot be intimidated.

"You might have noticed that this election, the commission has also banned even star campaigners and candidates who were accused of making hate speeches from participating in public speaking. Therefore any reference to 'boldness', we would like to point out that the commission is not afraid of anyone or anything", he said.

Prior to this he said that the EC had a cordial meeting with the BJP in relation to its complaints with the returning officer from Varanasi.

Sampath also said that he took exception to allegations of 'boldness', and pointed out that the EC was a constitutional body with the powers to fulfill its obligations boldly and fairly.

4.50 pm: EC holds press conference to defend itself

The Election Commission is holding a press conference to defend itself against the allegations of bias that have been leveled against it.

Election Commissioner VS Sampath has said that the conference was necessary, given the increase in allegations against the EC that have either directly or indirectly questioned its impartiality.

"It needs to be underlined and understood in the prevailing scenario of the electoral contest, the EC has a challenging job in enforcing the election laws and the model code of conduct. This is to reassure that all is being done uniformly, rigorously and a non-partisan manner to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections", he said.

3.58 pm: BJP, AAP supporters clash during Varanasi protest

A clash broke out between BJP and AAP supporters at the Lanka Chowk outside Banaras Hindu University where the saffron party BJP was staging a protest over the refusal of permission for Narendra Modi's rally in the city.

The scuffle took place when some AAP supporters holding brooms came to the protest site raising slogans in favour of Arvind Kejriwal.

Immediately, several BJP supporters tried to block their way by pushing them.

Police and paramilitary forces soon swung into action and pacified both the groups and prevented the situation from escalating. After some time, AAP supporters also left the place.

3:10 pm: Election Commission to hold press conference at 4:30 pm

After being buffeted by multiple attacks, the Election Commission has said that it will hold a press conference of its own to clear its stand on the BJP's protest, reports CNN-IBN.

2:10 pm: Has BJP called off its dharna in Varanasi before Modi arrived?

ABP News reported on Twitter that the BJP has called off its dharna before its prime ministerial candidate landed in the constituency.

Jaitley and other senior BJP leaders who were holding the dharna have gone to receive Modi, who will be heading to the outskirts of Varanasi for a rally.

2:05 pm: Right to protest if candidate denied permission to hold rally, says Jaitley

BJP's Arun Jaitley has said defended the BJP's decision to protest saying that the official in Varanasi couldn't deny permission for the rally.

"It is my democratic right to protest if the candidate is not allowed to campaign," he told CNN-IBN.

Jaitley said that they were given permission for the two other events also only after they had withdrawn their applications which was wrong.

"Elections are fought on rallies not poojas," Jaitley said.

1:40 pm: Chidambaram defends Election Commission, says they're doing great

Even as the BJP differed in who the target of its attack was, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that the body had done a "tremendous job" so far.

"BJP is getting a little desperate, that is why they are making such outrageous comments against the EC," the Finance Minister said.

1:30 pm: Amit Shah defends party's decision to protest

Head of the campaign in Uttar Pradesh, Amit Shah has defended their protest on the grounds that it was a battle to reach out to the people of the state.

"Modi wanted to meet with 150 people, how is that a security threat?" Amit Shah told CNN-IBN.

The permission to hold the rallies should have come 48 hours in advance not 8 hours, Shah said.

1:00 pm: Kejriwal mocks Modi, BJP protests; says it's all drama

AAP's Arvind Kejriwal has told CNN-IBN that the protest by Modi was purely political drama and that he could well perform a Ganga aarti without bringing the party and politics into it.

"Modi will stay in Kashi for only 2 hours but will do drama in that time," he said.

He also questioned why all the senior leadership of the party was in Varanasi while they hadn't shown the same level of concern over Vadodara.

Kejriwal said that there was no need for a Ganga aarti of the kind Modi and the BJP had planned. He said the party could

But it wasn't like he was much kinder to the Election Commission and said it was at its weakest in years.

"Why didn't the EC take action against Modi for holding the lotus symbol?" Kejriwal said.

He however, defended the returning officer in Varanasi and said that Pranjal Yadav was a good official and questioned why the BJP wanted to remove him.

1:00 pm: BJP says it has submitted complaint to EC, says it only has problem with one returning officer

After meeting with the Election Commission, the BJP has said that it has filed a complaint against the returning officer of Varanasi and wants him replaced. It pointed to the fact that there had been no problems in any of the rallies held by Modi in the nation so far and the fact that even Varanasi has remained peaceful so far.

"We believe that the decision to cancel the rally has been done under pressure from the Samajwadi Party government," senior party leader Venkiah Naidu told reporters outside the EC headquarters.

"We want the returning officer to be replaced and elections be held impartially in Varanasi," he said.

And despite its prime ministerial candidate's statements in Azamgarh, the party maintained that it only had a complaint against the returning officer and not the Election Commission.

"Our complaint is not against the central election commission, but the returning officer in Varanasi," Naidu said.

He said that Modi had merely expressed his annoyance at the returning officer in Varanasi and not the entire Election Commission.

12.45 pm: EC is no longer unbiased, thunders Modi in Azamgarh

BJP Prime Ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, who is addressing a rally in Azamgarh on the outskirts of Varanasi is taking the Election Commission head on.

"I can say it with great responsibility, that the election commission is no longer unbiased", he thundered. "However this will not change the fortunes of Narendra Modi".

Modi will join the BJP protest against the EC in Varanasi once the rally is over.

Meanwhile speaking in Delhi, BJP candidate Venkaiah Naidu has defended Modi, saying that It was important for him to campaign in his constituency.

No incident has taken place. The local administration is restricting us for no reason. Late night last night we were allowed to hold a meeting in a hall. Under all kinds of pressure they've refused us permission, thats what our thinking is now".

12.39 pm: Amit Shah at BJP Varanasi protest, Modi to join later

Senior BJP leaders Amit Shah and Arun Jaitley have arrived at the BJP protest in Varanasi.

https://twitter.com/PandeyJaideep/status/464300518014074880

BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who is presently addressing a rally in Azamgarh on the outskirts of Varanasi, is expected to join later.

12.25 pm: BJP leaders submit memorandum to EC in Delhi

The BJP leaders permitted inside the Election Commission have submitted a memorandum to officials. The full text of the memorandum is not yet known, but it would be a safe bet to say that it contains some fairly strong words against the returning officer in Varanasi.

The BJP have been very clear about the fact that they want the Varanasi returning officer sacked immediately.

In fact, writing a strongly worded blog post, BJP leader Arun Jaitley was particularly critical:

"If the Election Commission chooses to believe such a Returning Officer and feels that this is not a denial of opportunity to campaign, my right to Satyragrah begins. The Election Commission now condones the guilt of the Returning Officer"

12.14 pm: BJP does an AAP, anti-EC protests halt Delhi traffic

BJP leaders have entered the Election Commission office in New Delhi which is situated in Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road. Only a handful of leaders have been allowed inside, with a majority of protestors stopped on Parliament street. Some workers tried to break the barricades and enter the premises, but were stopped by police.

BJP leaders in orange caps who were allowed in, were seen waving and giving thumbs up signs to the camera.

Traffic in central Delhi is reportedly at a standstill.

12.00 pm: Sea of BJP supporters in Varanasi, Delhi

The BJP protests are in full flow in both Delhi and Varanasi, with hundreds of party supporters at both venues.

Chanting 'Modi! Modi!" the supporters are all marching towards the EC offices in both cities.

In Delhi, a barricade has been erected outside the Election Commission office and the police have made an announcement via the public address system and warned supporters not to get close to the building and breach the barricade.

11.45 am: Security stepped up outside EC office in Delhi

In the wake of the protests against the Election Commission in Varanasi, prohibitory orders have also been issued around the Election Commission office in Delhi.

Media reports said that police have already set up barricades outside the road leading to the EC office and have said that they will use force if the barricade is breached. Water cannons have been already placed at the venue, and police have also called for additional paramilitary backup.

The BJP is planning a march from its Delhi office to the Election Commission office.

11.14 am: Mayawati says BJP is trying to create drama ahead of Varanasi polling

Even as the BJP has begun its satyagraha against the 'biased' Election Commission, BSP leader Mayawati has accused the party of merely creating 'drama' in order to influence voters in Varanasi.

"The Varanasi protest is an attempt by the BJP to intimidate Muslim voters in the Poorvanchal region. Both SP and BJP have tried to communalize the atmosphere in the 'Poorvanchal' region. Now they are both colluding to create a new drama in Varanasi", she said.

She also slammed the decision to cancel Narendra Modi's rally in the holy city, saying that the "action of canceling the rally shows the administration is working under directions of the SP".

10.25 am: BJP supporters protest outside BHU

BJP workers gathered outside the Benaras Hindu University in protest against what they term as the 'biasness' of the election commission in denying Modi permission to hold a rally in Varanasi.

Youth workers gathered at the site told news agency ANI that the District Magistrate was wrong in denying voters a chance to listen to Modi.

"How is this democracy? How can they deny Modi a chance to speak if he's a candidate? The EC has shown its bias and what they are doing is wrong," the youth, whose identity was not immediately known, said.

10.13 am: Election Commission says it is 'disappointed' with BJP

The Election Commission has written to BJP leader Arun Jaitley and expressed its 'disappointment' with the party's decision to protest against it. "The Commission is surprised and disappointed that your party has chosen to hold protests over the matter, which was being sought to be resolved in accordance with law and ground realities," the letter read.

According to the Hindustan Times, the letter read:

"In the whole matter, the Commission decided not to go by the version conveyed by the district magistrate alone, but consulted the UP chief secretary and the DGP, who endorsed the security and suitability aspects including capacity of the ground, raised by the district officials.

"You will appreciate that the Commission cannot overlook the security concerns expressed by competent authorities".

The letter added the Commission has given prompt attention to any issue raised by political parties, including BJP, over the ongoing elections, HT said.

10.05 am: Invite Modi for an open debate, says Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal, who is contesting against Modi in Varanasi, has invited him to an open debate in Kashi where the people can listen and decide who they think is best suited to be their representative.

Taking on Modi in a series of tweets, Kejriwal said, "BJP top brass landed in Kashi. Shows their nervousness. Will they be able to save Modi ji from defeat?"

He also slammed the Gujarat CM, saying his party's protest against the EC was just to draw political mileage. "Modi ji given permission of Ganga arti. Yet rather than performing arti, he is trying to draw political mileage. Sad."

https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/464262602189586432

https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/464267012785455104

https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/464267378470035456

10.00 am: Congress says BJP does not respect constitutional bodies

While the BJP has been crying foul about the 'politics' of the Election Commission, the Congress has hit back, saying that the BJP reaction just underscored how the party refused to respect constitutional bodies.

"They are playing the same kind of politics they have done before. They keep breaking the EC code of conduct. EC has not given them permission and what the report says I don't know, but its clear that the BJP does not respect the constitutional office", said a Congress spokesman.

Meanwhile the BJP has defended Modi's strong words against the EC.

"There is nothing wrong in what Modi has said, if he has used harsh words there's nothing wrong. He's a candidate and he has the right to do it", a party spokesman said.

8.45 am: Narendra Modi apologises to Maa Ganga on Twitter

Despite being granted permission to hold his rally in Varanasi by the Election Commission last night, Narendra Modi has tweeted, saying that it was "unfortunate that EC is not concerned about the institution's neutrality & that is why our Karyakartas have to embark on a Satyagraha".

The BJP had reportedly decided to go ahead with the protest despite receiving permission, on the basis that they now did not have enough time to plan the rally.

Modi also appealed to BJP workers to remain peaceful, and apologised to 'Ganga Maa' for not being able to perform aarti and said he wished 'these people' know that a Mother's love is above politics.

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/464237074166456320

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/464236985503080448

-- end of updates for 7 May 2014 --

8.20 pm: West Bengal records 81% turnout, UP 55%

Among the states that went top polling today West Bengal saw the highest voter turnout with 81.28%, followed by Seemandhra that saw 76% polling in it 15 Lok Sabha seats.

Uttar Pradesh saw 55.52% polling in the 15 Lok Sabha seats that wento to polls, Uttarakhand registers 62% polling for 5 Lok Sabha seats and Himachal Pradesh 65% for 4 seats

The lowest polling among all the states where voting was held was recorded in Jammu and Kashmir with a 49.98% voter turnout.

8.10 pm: 62% polling recorded in Uttarakhand

Around 62 percent of the voters today cast their votes in Uttarakhand where polling for five Lok Sabha seats completed peacefully amid tight security.

Nearly 62 per cent of the 71.29 lakh voters across the state cast their votes till 6 pm, Joint Chief Election Officer Saujanya told PTI.

However, polling percentage from some remote areas in the hills are still awaited, she said.

Though polling remained peaceful, a poll official Arvind Singh due to cardiac arrest at Nargarha booth of Bageshwar district in Almora Constituency, Chief election officer Radha Raturi said.

Polling began amid tight security across the hill state for Pauri-Garhwal, Tehri, Nainital, Almora and Haridwar seats at 7 am with men and women in large numbers turning up at the polling stations since early morning to cast their votes.

Long queues of voters were seen outside polling stations waiting for their turn to exercise their right to franchise.

A total of 71.29 lakh voters across the state are likely to exercise their voting rights to elect legislators out of 74 candidates, including three former BJP Chief Ministers, contesting elections.

7.41 pm: Polling in some of the states till 5 pm

7.37 pm: 55 % polling recorded in Uttar Pradesh

Nearly 55 percent polling was recorded in the 15 constituencies where voting took place in the fifth round of Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh. Polling was generally peaceful in all constituencies except for minor clashes in some places.

The voter turnout in the first half of the day was quite brisk but slowed down with the passage of the day, and picked up in the last two hours.

There were some dramatic moments in Amethi where Rahul Gandhi went visiting polling stations, causing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to lodge a protest over the number of accompanying vehicles. Rahul also complained against the chalk drawing of lotus on a blackboard in a polling station. It was for the first time in years that Rahul had visited polling stations on the polling day in Amethi.

BJP candidate Smriti Irani had an altercation with a member of Priyanka Vadra’s PR team, Priti Sahay, and lodged a complaint against her presence. The district returning officer then ordered Priti Sahay to leave Amethi at the earliest. In Sultanpur, Varun Gandhi protested against the conduct of a security personnel at a polling station.

In Faizabad, Gonda, Bahraich, Basti and Allahabad the turnout was very high in the forenoon. Voter response indicated an impact of polarization on polling. Heavy security arrangements had been made in all areas in view of the charged atmosphere and complaints of rigging in the previous rounds of polling.

Other constituencies where polling took place were Pratapgarh, Kaushambi, Phulpur, Ambedkarnagar, Kaiserganj, Shrawasti, Sant Kabirnagar and Bhadohi. — Firstpost Correspondent Ratan Mani Lal.

6.58 pm: J&K cop injured in bomb blast near poll booth

A bomb blast near a polling booth in Kashmir injured a policeman on Wednesday, amid further stone-throwing protests and a widespread boycott of the general election in the mainly Muslim region.

Separatists have called on voters to shun the election in the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir, holding staggered voting in its six parliamentary seats to allow 700,000 army troops and police to mount a mobile security operation.

That has failed to prevent a string of killings of village elders, blamed by police on militants seeking to intimidate voters. In the most serious incident, three insurgents and one army officer were killed in a clash on April 27.

The bomb exploded outside a polling station at a village in the Baramulla constituency, one of two voting on Wednesday in northern Kashmir, injuring a police reservist, police said.

6.39 pm: Desperate Cong violated many laws, says Smriti Irani

BJP candidate Smriti Irani alleged that 'desperate Congress' had violated many polling laws.

Priyanka Gandhi's PA had been asked to leave Amethi but Irani said Rahul's media managers should also not have been allowed in booths. She said thus behaviour proved that he was indeed a 'shehzada' as Modi calls him not a believer in loktantra.

She said the Congress had been giving out money. "If there is so much love for him why are they giving out money? Love can never be bought for money," she said. Asked what she thought of her prospects she said the janta janardhan had already raised har har Modi slogans in front of Rahul. Firstpost Senior Editor Sandip Roy

6.33 pm: Seemandhra records 71 percent polling at 5 pm

Seemandhra recorded 71 percent polling till 5 pm. The polling ended at 6 pm. However, the actual percentages would be announced around 7 pm. Five tribal villages in West Godavari district demanding their inclusion into the Integrated Tribal Development Agency.

The Excise police arrested Ravi Venkataramana, YSR Congress candidate from Ponnur Assembly constituency, as his bail period expired in the excise case. — Firstpost correspondent A Saye Shekhar

6.27 pm: Here's a chart comparing polling in some of the states till 3 pm

6.15 pm: We don't need any damn permission from Returning officer, says Jaitley

A furious Jaitley hitting out over and again at the returning officer, Jaitley said, "India is a free country. We don't need any damn permission from the returning officer."

6.12 pm: Modi will only go to BJP office, says Jaitley

"Since Modi has been denied permission for a rally, he will land on BHU's helipad and then go to the BJP office," said Jaitley.

Accusing the returning officer he said, "The alternative site was never asked by us. How can we ask for a site that can fit only 2000 people for a Modi rally? The returning officer is being very economical with the truth."

6.01 pm: Returning officer biased, says Jaitley over Modi Varanasi rally

As the row between the Election Commission and BJP escalates, Arun Jaitley in a press conference says that Modi has been denied permission to hold a rally.

"Modi was asked to hold his rally in a banquet hall. How is that possible. The Returning officer in Varanasi is biased and hence this issue has come up. We want the official transferred as soon as possible," Jaitley said.

"Permission of a rally was given to an NGO and not to us," Jaitley alleged.

Jaitley says, "This is why I, along with Amit Shah and other BJP with workers, will sit on a dharna in front of BHU. This is not a banana republic."

5.52 pm: BJP rejects venue offered for Modi's Varanasi rally

The BJP today rejected the alternative venue for Narendra Modi's Varanasi rally saying the venue was too small, reported NDTV.

This comes after the Returning Officer had said that all Modi events had been given the nod.

5.49 pm: WB records 73 percent turnout till 3 pm

Polling for six Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal Wednesday was marked by sporadic incidents of violence. The opposition alleged electoral malpractices as over 70 percent of the electorate voted during the day, with three hours yet to go before balloting ends, IANS reported.

"The average turnout was 73 percent till 3 pm," an official said here.

BJP candidate from Asansol Babul Supriyo accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of indulging in "blatant rigging" and "intimidation of voters".

Additional security was provided to Supriyo, who is a Bollywood singer, after he was allegedly heckled and prevented from entering a polling booth by Trinamool activists.

The opposition Left Front (LF) spearheaded by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) alleged its polling agents were beaten up and prevented from manning the booths in several areas.

LF chairman Biman Bose alleged a lot of booths across Purulia, Bankura, Midnapore and Jhargram were captured by the Trinamool activists and fake votes were cast.

There were also allegations the Trinamool activists tried to forcibly prevent CPI-M supporters from voting in Jamuria in Asansol constituency of Burdwan district.

The police intervened and took them to the booth.

In Pandbeshwar of Burdwan district, a physically challenged man was mercilessly beaten up by some goons backed by a political party after he cast his vote.

The Trinamool denied all allegations.

Trinamool activists surrounded and blocked the car of the Communist Party of India candidate from Medinipur, Prabodh Panda, outside a polling booth, alleging the vehicle had the MP's sticker.

5.35 pm: 63 percent polling by 3 pm in Seemandhra

Polling in Araku and Paderu Assembly constituencies ended at 4 pm, as they were naxalite-affected constituencies.

Seemaandhra region posted 63 percent of polling by 3 pm on Wednesday in the eight leg of general elections. People of Seemaadnhra are also electing their first ever State Government through this poll.

YSR Congress alleged that one of their activists was killed at Sitanagaram in East Godavari district.

The YSR Congress also alleged that TDP candidate JC Prabhakara Reddy went berserk and attacked a few persons in Tadipatri town of Anantapur district.

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu informed the NDA's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi that the polling was positive to the TDP-BJP combine across the State.

He appealed to polling and police officials to work dispassionately and impartially. He highlighted the activity of a polling official in Chittoor district.

Senior police officials visited villages in Kadapa district where clashes occurred between the TDP and the YSRC activists. — Firstpost correspondent A Saye Sekhar

5.00 pm: Modi gets permission for second rally n Varanasi

Amid much hue and cry from the BJP over permission for Modi's rally the Times of India reported that Modi got permission to hold two rallies in Varanasi. First one at Rohania and second at Boniabagh

4.54 pm: Bihar sees 47% polling till 3 pm, one dead in police firing

One person was killed after the police resorted to firing to scare away a group of villagers who were allegedly trying to capture a booth in Sitamarhi which was among seven parliamentary constituencies of Bihar which went to poll in the fifth and penultimate round today. The incident occurred at booth number 224 located at Bathnaha in Sitamarhi.

Angry villagers later held the cops hostage and are protesting on the streets, demanding action against the cops. Senior police officials have rushed to the spot to calm down tension.

Meanwhile, poll percentage touched 47 percent till 3 pm as brisk polling continues in Bihar despite stray incidents of unseemly incidents.

A maximum of 51 percent polling was recorded in Muzaffarpur, followed by 50 percent in Sheohar, 48 percent in Ujiarpur, 45 percent each in Saran and Maharajganj and 43 percent in Hajipur. — Firstpost correspondent Manoj Kumar.

4.46 pm: 40% voter turnout recorded in UP amid Amethi drama

Polling percentage was inching beyond 40% in all 15 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh till 4 pm. The voter turnout was likely to improve in the last two hours.

Amidst high drama in Amethi, the district returning officer ordered a member of Priyanka Vadra's PR team to leave Amethi. BJP's Smriti Irani had lodged a complaint over the presence of Preeti Sahai, the PR assistant to Priyanka and alleged that Sahai was an outsider and was trying to influence voters.

Earlier in the day, the Aam Aadmi party had lodged a complaint over the movement of Rahul Gandhi between different polling stations with a large number of vehicles in tow.

Faizabad continued to witness a steady turnout of voters and so did Sultanpur. In Bahraich, Sravasti and Gonda also the enthusiasm of voters continued. In all these places the percentage ranged between 38 and 40 percent. — Firstpost correstpondent Ratan Mani Lal

4.32: BJP to protest Varanasi DM call on Modi rally

The BJP has planned a protest in Varanasi after the officials in the city refused permission to Narendra Modi to hold a rally in the city.

Modi has already been given permission for one rally, however, for the second one the permission was denied.

In Varanasi, ADM(city) MP Singh told PTI that they received the application seeking permission for the rally yesterday and the decision will be taken by 5 pm. BJP media in-charge of Kashi region, Sanjay Bhardwaj said they had sought permission for Modi's rally at Beniabagh ground and another at Jagatpur ground in Rohania. He said the district administration is yet to give permission for Beniabagh ground rally.

4.14 pm: Those who never visited Amethi are begging for votes even on poll day, says Modi

Narendra Modi today hit out at the Congress party saying they are begging for votes in Amethi.

"Those who were not seen in Amethi for the last five years are now begging for votes even on polling day," Modi said in Krishnanagar, West Bengal.

Attacking Sonia Gandh, he said, "Madam Soniaji, you were telling me I ask for votes? The janta is like god to me, so if I don't ask them for voters who will I ask?"

Modi also hit out as Mamata Banerjee as well saying, "Aajkal Didi bohot gusse mein hain, aur hum nahin chahte ki humaari Didi bimaar ho jaye. (These days Didi is very angry. I don't want her to fall sick.) Those voting for me are people from Bengal only. So don't be angry. What can I do if Didi is seeing bad days?" Modi said.

3.38 pm: In Amethi, the elderly support Congress

Kali Deen does not know how old he is. He says he was full grown during 'azaadi'. He has worked for 42 years as a government employee and is a Congress loyalist. He is sick and cannot see well but still has come to vote.

"I have never seen Rahul but have been with Congress always," he said. The Congress vote bank is still strong among the elders the 'buzurg' say, even BJP supporters. — Firstpost Senior Editor Sandip Roy

2.47 pm: In Bihar, man shoots wife for not voting for his favourite candidate

Meanwhile, a man shot and injured his wife Wednesday for not voting for his favourite candidate in Bihar's Ujiarpur constituency, police said.

Vinod Paswan, a resident of Mohiuddinnagar village in Samastipur district, was angry over the issue and shot and seriously injured his wife, they said.

"The woman was admitted to a hospital for treatment. But doctors referred to the Patna Medical College and Hospital as her condition deteriorated," a police officer said in Samastipur.

Police said they have registered a case against Paswan, who is absconding.

Ujiarpur is among seven Lok Sabha seats in Bihar that went to the polls Wednesday.

2.38 pm: Kupwara leads in J&K's Baramulla constituency with 41.26% polling

The border town of Kupwara in north Kashmir is presently leading in entire Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency with 41.26 polling percentage recorded till 1 pm. It was followed by 35 percent in Ladakh and 49 percent by Kargil, Firstpost Correspondent Sameer Yasir says.

In Baramulla, where protesters have clashed with police in many places since morning, 14.69 percent voting was recorded till 1 pm.

Officials said that Bandipora district recorded a polling percentage of 20.43 till 1 pm. Sopore town has a total of 46,630 electors out of which only 92 had cast their vote till 11 am.

However in Rafiabad, has 80,199 electors and 1800 were polled. Sangrama has a total of 25,284 and only 54 were polled till the reports last came in.

Sopore has recorded 0.38 vote percentage till 12.00 it is the home town of hardline separatists leader Syed Ali Geelani, who has called for a poll boycott in entire north Kashmir.

Another border town of Uri which which is picking up is Uri were polling percentage was recorded at 20.54 till 1 pm.

2.30 pm: Bihar records 35% polling till 1 pm, Rudy confident of win

The polling which began on seven Lok Sabha seats of north Bihar touched a remarkable 35 percent till 1 pm as voter's enthusiasm to join the polling booths despite the burning sun has surprised everyone.

Long queues of voters are being seen on most of the polling booths in Bihar even as stray incidents of skirmishes and intimidation to voters have been reported from some parts of these constituencies.

Among the seven constituencies where polling is being held, Saran and Hajipur are high-profile seats from here Rabri Devi and Ram Vilas Paswan are contesting respectively. Rabri is pitted against Rajiv Pratap Rudy. Both have claimed victory from this seat.

"I am confident of my victory as people want change," Rudy told the newsmen, emerging from the booth after casting his vote adding, "Rabri Devi is a good lady. The woman who is a mother of nine children surely must be good."

He refrained from making direct attacks on his rival Rabri and accused her husband Lalu Prasad of frequently putting bigger responsibility on his wife.

"Laluji has been making frequent trips to jail and when he goes to jail, he hands over his all important responsibility on his wife," he mocked. — Firstpost correspondent Manoj Kumar.

1.55 pm: AAP, BJP say SP administration turning blind eye to malpractices

Aam Aadmi Party in Amethi lodged a protest against alleged malpractices in Amethi, while BJP'S Smriti Irani also complained that Priyanka Gandhi's secretary Priti Sahay was trying to influence voters. Sahay has been asked to leave Amethi by the Returning Officer.

Both party sources alleged that the local administration under Samajwadi Party government was turning a blind eye to the malpractices. Elsewhere, the voting enthusiasm continued. In Sultanpur many first time voters said they voted for development rather than existing political leaders. - Firstpost's Ratan Mani Lal

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/463953092409438208

1.50 pm: Senior police officials attacked in Seemandhra

An Assistant Superintendent of Police Appala Naidu was attacked allegedly by YSRC activists at Devagudi in Jammalamadugu Assembly constituency in Kadapa district.

An SP from Karnataka, Rajesh, who was on election duty was also attacked. Inspector-General Navin Chand strongly condemned the attack and said action would be taken against all those responsible for the attacks.

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with party workers and urged them to counter the attacks of the YSR Congress activists. He wanted the TDP cadres to ensure that the poll percentage went up to 90.

Guntur district witnessed tense situations in Vinukonda, and Narasaraopet constituencies.

TDP activists complained to Election Commission that YSR Congress distributed cash to voters through Sakshi newspaper hawkers. While CEO Bhanwarlal reportedly warned TDP Rajya Sabha member CM Ramesh to mend his ways, YSR Congress spokesperson Vasireddy Padma said that it appeared that the TDP had given up the fight even before the polling was complete. - Firstpost correspondent Saye Sekhar

1.42 am: Priyanka's secretary asked to leave Amethi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi's political secretary Preeti Sahay has been asked by the District Returning Officer to leave Amethi constituency immediately for entering a poll booth without a letter of authority.

1.20 pm: Did not vote for Rahul this time, says Amethi voter

In Amethi, Ram Yash, a labourer, says he has voted for Narendra Modi. He says this is the first time he did not vote for the Congress party in its family bastion. "Satta badalna chahiye (need a change in regime)," he says, adding that Modi's rally on Monday has had a huge impact.

12.55 pm: Rivals clash in Bihar; can Ram Vilas Paswan snatch victory?

Rival groups of party supporters clashed at two booths in Saran parliamentary constituency of Bihar where Rabri Devi is locked in a straight fight with BJP candidate Rajiv Pratap Rudy as polling percentage touched 22.36 percent till 11 am. The incident occurred at booth number 111 and 112 in Sonepur assembly segment.

The clashing party supporters were charged with intimidating the voters in the queue and preventing them from casting their votes, forcing them to register protests. Later, the police arrested one person in this connection.

This created further panic after two live bombs were found planted in a field outside a pooling booth at Marhaura in same Saran constituency. Both Rabri and Rudy are battling hard to win elections to prove their political acumen.

In Hajipur, Ram Vilas Paswan who is battling for his political survival was seen shaking hands with voters outside a polling booth. A victory in the polls will give a boost to his career while the second successive defeat will end his political relevance as well as his bargaining capacity.

Interestingly, the slowest polling was seen in Sitamarhi. Only a single voter had cast his vote at booth number 25 in Sitamarhi till 11 am although the booth has a total of 1309 voters.

- Firstpost correspondent Manoj Kumar

12.50 pm: Mohd Kaif, Ameeta Singh confident of winning polls

In Amethi, Rahul Gandhi making rounds of polling stations to seek reports of polling was an unusual sight. Till mid-day about 14 percent voting had been recorded.

Congress candidates, cricketer Mohd Kaif in Phulpur and Ameeta Singh in Sultanpur, expressed confidence of their win after casting their vote.

Reports indicate signs of polarized voting from most constituncies in this round. BJP supporters appeared very enthusiastic in Sultanpur, Allahabad, Faizabad and Kaiserganj. - Firstpost correspondent Ratan Mani Lal

12.30 pm: BJP, SP workers clash in Kaiserganj

In the Tarai districts bordering Nepal, voting was reported to be heavy but turned a little slow as the day temperature soared.

Bahraich, Kaiserganj, Gonda and Shravasti polling stations saw long queues. There was a clash between BJP and SP supporters in Kaiserganj but it did not turn serious because of timely police intervention.

In most constituncies, polling has been peaceful.

In Gonda, Union minister Beni Prasad Verma was said to be facing a tough challenge from the BSP candidate Akbar Ahmed 'Dumpy' as indicated by the nature of voter turn out.

According to an estimate, about 15 percent votes had been cast till 11.30 am. - Firstpost correspondent Ratan Mani Lal.

12.20 pm: YSR Cong workers attack polling booth official, media

YSR Congress activists reportedly attacked a polling official in Chandragiri Assembly constituency in Chittoor district. The media personnel who shot the attack on video cameras were also reportedly attacked.

As much as 33 percent of polling was recorded in Seemaandhra by 11 am. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Andhra Pradesh Bhanwarlal said that the polling could touch 85 to 90 percent by evening.

Very heavy polling has been seen in most districts, while it is lagging at 13 percent in Guntur and 12 percent in Krishna districts. Two former TDP MLAs from Hindupur Assembly constituency were placed under house arrest.

Former Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy cast his vote in Pileru of Chittoor district, along with his family members. - Firstpost correspondent Saye Sekhar.

12. 15 pm: Of course I'm riding the Modi wave, says BJP's Rudy

BJP leader and Saran candidate Rajiv Pratap Rudy is hopeful of defeating Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi by riding the Modi wave.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Rudy said there was no doubt that the people want Modi as the next PM of the coutnry. "How can I deny it, of course I'm banking on the Modi wave (to win the election)...

On being asked if the JD(U) and RJD could hurt his prospects, Rudy said: "Nitish Kumar or Lalu... they are both fighting to find space in the opposition.. both have been rejected by the people."

"I never got a chance to contest against Lalu as he goes to jail every second term," Rudy added.

11.55 am: Voting percentages till 11 am

West Bengal has recorded a voter turnout of 45 percent in the first four hours of polling, while Rahul Gandhi's Amethi saw 27 percent of the electorate come out and vote.

Seemandhra saw a 33% voter turnout, 20 percent in Uttarakhand, 34 percent in Haridwar and 22.3 percent in Bihar

11.39 am: In Amethi, Sultanpur brisk voting continues

Brisk polling continued in Sultanpur and Allahabad till 11 am, as voters in many polling stations in Allahabad stood in the queue in their morning walk outfits, saying they wanted to vote first after completing their walk and then go home.

In Sultanpur the enthusiasm for voting was unprecedented according to locals. In Amethi, too, the outlying rural areas saw a large turn out. - Firstpost correspondent Ratan Mani Lal

11.10 am: Rahul objects to Lotus drawn inside poll booth

Congress Vice President and Amethi candidate Rahul Gandhi has objected to a drawing of BJP's poll symbol - the lotus - drawn inside a polling booth in Amethi. His party has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, NDTV reports.

Meanwhile, AAP has complained to the EC about Rahul Gandhi travelling in Amethi with a 15-car cavalcade, CNN-IBN reports.

In an unexpected move, Rahul decided to be present in Amethi while it votes, something he had not done in the 2009 and 2004 polls.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/463919098582155264

11.07 am: Rahul just lives off his father's name, says UP youth

Deepak Agrahari and Vijay Kumar in Ramgarh, where Congress's Sanjay and Ameeta Singh voted, say they think AAP's Kumar Viswas will come in second. But given the work he did if he had contested from Modi's side, he would have won 100 percent. Rahul just lives off his father's name, Deepak says.

11.00 am: Modi dials Naidu to check poll trends in Seemandhra

BJP's PM candidate and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has called up TDP president and alliance partner N Chandrababu Naidu to inquire about poll trends.

Sporadic incidents of clashes between the workers of the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress are being reported across the region, with Kadapa district witnessing the highest number of such incidents.

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president N Raghuveera Reddy went to cast his vote on a bullock cart at Neelakanthapuram in Madakasira Assembly constituency of Anantapur district.

Chandrababu Naidu demanded the arrest of YSR Congress workers who attacked TDP workers in Mydukuru and Jammalamadugu Assembly constituencies.

The police opened fire into the air to control the clashing activists of YSR Congress and the TDP at Rompicherla in Narasaraopet Assembly constituency in Guntur district.

Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh Bhanwarlal said polling was peaceful and appealed to people to exercise their franchise without fail.

The police kept under house arrest Paritala Sriram, son of Paritala Sunitha, TDP contestant from Rapthadu Assembly seat in Anantapur district, as a preventive measure. - Firstpost correspondent A. Saye Sekhar

10.50 am: Amethi sees brisk voting, despite warm weather

Very brisk voting was reported from Amethi, Faizabad, Sultanpur and Allahabad even though the day was much warmer than yesterday.

Long queues were seen at polling stations in Faizabad while in Amethi too a large number of people came out to vote.

Additional security personnel have been deployed for today's voting in view of the complaints of booth capturing in early rounds in the state.

Interestingly Rahul Gandhi is camping in Amethi on the voting day, something that he had never done in earlier elections.

On an average about 10 to 12 percent polling had been recorded in all the 15 constituencies where voting is taking place. - Firstpost correspondent Ratan Mani Lal.

10.25 am: 10 percent voter turnout in Amethi till 9 am

The politically crucial constituency of Amethi, from where BJP's Smriti Irani is challenging Congress's VP Rahul Gandhi, saw 10 percent voting till 9 am.

Constituencies going to vote in West Bengal saw 24 percent voter turnout till 9 am.​

9.53 am: Riding a wave in Seemandhra?

This TDP candidate from Visakha East Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu arrived at the polling booth riding an Enfield.

https://twitter.com/VizagConnect/status/463896677431009282

9.52 am: TMC-Left workers clash in West Midnapore

Trinamool Congress and Left workers have reportedly clashed in West Midnapore in West Bengal, Times Now reports.

TMC workers reportedly stopped the vehicle of a CPI candidate while he was on his way to a polling booth. Police and election officials have arrived at the spot.

9.45 am: Paswan's aide held distributing money among voters in Bihar

The election to seven Lok Sabha seats in Bihar began on a peaceful note today with an average 9.46 percent of voters casting their votes in the first two hours.

In Hajipur from where Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan is battling hard to retrieve his lost ground, one of his polling agents were caught on camera distributing hard cash among the voters to get their votes.

TV footages showed the man hiding currency notes of Rs 100 denomination in the thief pocket of his kurta and trying to influence voters in the queue at booth number 81 of Hajipur.

His supporters were also seen intimidating the TV crew not to carry the story. Taking cognizance of the matter, a team of Election Commission officials later rushed to the spot and analysed the video footage of the TV news channels before it could initiate any action if necessary.

Prominent candidates whose fate will be decided in the phase include, Rabri Devi, wife of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, BJP general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy, LJP president ram Vilas Paswan and RJD strongman Prabhunath Singh.

What remains to be of great interest for voters in this phase, which is the penultimate round of the six-phase polling in Bihar, is the shadow boxing between Narendra Modi and Lalu Prasad. Although on the surface it's a fight between Rabri and Rudy, Modi and Lalu are engaged in a proxy battle through their candidates. - Manoj Kumar, Patna

9.35 am: Independent India's first voter casts his vote

At 97, independent India's first voter SS Negi cast his vote along with his wife in Himachal Pradesh. Since the first time he voted, he has never missed an election. "At 97 if I can vote, there's no reason why the youth cannot... I request everyone to vote," he says.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/463891292548657154

9.20 am: Shot in the leg, Somnath among early voters

Here's 65 year-old Somnath, who was shot while in the Army. Assisted by a walker, he came out early to vote in Haridwar.

https://twitter.com/ibncj/status/463890173739020288

9.15 am: Grenade attack on polling booth in Baramulla

There has been a grenade attack at a polling booth in Baramullah leaving one CRPF jawan injured. There was also massive stone pelting reported in Sopore.

NDTV reports that a crude bomb was found in the vicinity of one of the polling booths in Baramulla, it has now been defused.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/463896676764090368

8.39 am: BJP nervous about winning in Uttar Pradesh?

While Rahul Gandhi seems to be worried about winning with a much reduced margin in Amethi, is BJP's Narendra Modi also nervous about whether his party could sweep Uttar Pradesh - that sends 80 MPs to Lok Sabha?

Firstpost editor-in-chief R Jagannathan during a discussion on CNN-IBN said it was not just Modi, but all the parties that were unsure about how the electorate will vote.

"Absolutely... Not just the top two , all parties are nervous... This time, wins will be through narrow margins. Everyone's playing every card to get the marginal 2 percent vote on caste and communal appeals. No one can be certain of a huge win in Uttar Pradesh, except in a few seats," he said.

8.27 am: How did Rahul perform in the last two elections?

Here's a look at Rahul Gandhi's winning margins from the Congress bastion of Amethi. In 2004 and 2009, he defeated his nearest opponent - BSP by around 3 lakh votes. This time, pre-poll surveys expect Rahul to win by a lower margin as he faces competition from BJP's Smriti Irani and AAP's Kumar Vishwas.

8.20 am: Brisk voting in Seemandhra, largely peaceful

Polling commenced peacefully with people making serpentine queues in front of polling stations across Seemaandhra, which will soon retain its name of Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation, at 7 am.

Some of the electronic voting machines malfunctioned, troubling polling officials while testing the patience of voters standing in queues at different places across the state.

YS Jaganmohan Reddy from Pulivendula Assembly seat in Kadapa district was one of those early birds to cast his vote in his native constituency. He is in the race for the post of chief minister.

Soon after exercising his franchise, when reporters accosted him and asked if he was ready to support the National Democratic Alliance at the Centre, he said: "We have all our options open."

Incidentally, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu, who is seeking a reelection from Kuppam Assembly seat in Chittoor district, doesn't have his vote in Seemaandhra. He had already cast his vote in Hyderabad, along with his family members, for the BJP contestants.

YS Vijayalakshmi, Jagan's mother, is seeking an election from Visakahpatnam Lok Sabha seat and is locking horns with the State unit president of the BJP Kambhapati Hari Babu.

Of the nearly Rs 300 crore seized from across the country, Andhra Pradesh had the lion's share with close to Rs 115 crore, 40 per cent of the total sum recovered. - Firstpost correspondent Saye Sekhar reports.

7.59 am: Rahul arrives in Amethi, slams Modi

Congress VP and Amethi candidate Rahul Gandhi took on Narendra Modi for twisting his sister Priyanka's remarks, saying a person is judged by his deeds, not by his caste. "People's actions can be lowly, not their caste," he said.

Maximum number of people should come out and vote. "Neech soch hoti hai, gusse ki soch hoti hai, neech jaati nahi hoti.

https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/463869258280091648

7.45 am: All options open, says Jagan Reddy

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy refused to reveal what his political strategy will be come 16 May. ""All our options are open," he told reporters when asked who he will ally with post the results.

7.25 am: Whose magic will work in Amethi? Modi's or Priyanka's?

After days and days of allegations, charges, counter allegations, mocking and some head on aggression, it comes to this. Whose magic will work in the Gandhi bastion of Amethi? Priyanka Gandhi who has been campaigning vigorously on behalf of her brother Rahul, or Narendra Modi who literally flew into the Gandhi bastion hours before campaigning ended and launched a blistering attack on the Gandhi family?

That Rahul is likely to win this seat is fairly certain, but it will not be as easy as before. In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections he won the seat by a margin of over 3 lakh votes. This time he is up against Kumar Vishwas from AAP and Smriti Irani from the BJP.

As Firstpost's Sanjeev Singh noted, neither the local cadres nor the voters are very happy with Rahul. In the wake of this wave of relative unpopularity, his sister Priyanka has been campaigning hard. Whether her charm will be enough to comfortably keep Amethi with the Gandhis remains to be seen.

Apart from Amethi, another key UP constituency going to polls today is Sultanpur, where the estranged Gandhi cousin, Varun is fighting from the BJP to win back his father’s legacy. He’s facing Congress candidate Ameeta Singh who is the wife of the current MP Dr Sanjay Singh.

Sanjay Singh was a close friend of Rajiv Gandhi.

But Varun has adopted an unusual style of campaigning, as noted by Firstpost editor Sandip Roy. He has refrained from making personal attacks against his cousins, even though Priyanka accused him of betraying her family. Nor does he mention Modi too much in his speeches. Will Varun’s unusual move to steer clear of the 'Modi wave' get him the votes?



7.17 am: Moment of truth for Lalu Prasad Yadav, Jagan Reddy

Two of politics most colourful characters, the veteran Lalu Prasad Yadav from Bihar and the young gun Jaganmohan Reddy face epochal moments today.

For Yadav, who is contesting through his wife Rabri Devi and daughter Misa, the polling today is likely to determine whether or not he can continue his political career.

As described by Firstpost reporter Manoj Kumar, "Lalu Prasad follows a gruelling campaign schedule, with the 66-year-old often putting in 22-hour days that begin at 7 in the morning and end at 5 the next morning. The entire family comprising Rabri, daughter Misa Bharti, and two sons - Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap - have been working as hard. Lalu himself is said to have addressed around 125 rallies, big and small, in addition to holding up to 20 street corner meetings in a day. In Saran, Rabri Devi is up against BJP's Rajiv Pratap Rudy, an established leader with his own support base and riding on the 'Modi wave'.

In Bihar, over 1.08 crore electorate would cast their vote in 9804 polling stations to decide the fate of 118 candidates. With the close of polling in the seven seats, voting would be over in 34 of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

For Jagan Reddy, the polling will decide whether or not he becomes Seemandhra's first ever Chief Minister, following however belatedly, in his late father's footsteps.

As Firstpost correspondent Saye Sekhar claims, "Though political parties are talking about manifestos and development, clearly these elections in Seemaandhra are revolving around him, with everyone being forced to choose whether they are pro or anti Jagan.

-- end of updates for 6 May --

2.45 pm: Security increased for Uttar Pradesh polling tomorrow

The Election Commission (EC) has ordered the deployment of more security personnel for the fifth phase of polling in 15 parliamentary constituencies of Uttar Pradesh May 7, officials said on Tuesday.

With several incidents of booth capturing in the third and fourth rounds of balloting in the state and apprehensions about further rigging by major political parties, the EC has directed that 300 companies of central forces will oversee the May 7 election in the state.

Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha has asked for enhanced security cover at all the polling stations at a meeting held with the security agencies, a senior official told IANS.

More security personnel are now available for the remaining two phases of election in the state as in most parts of the country, the polls are over. The EC can now use them optimally, DIG A. Satish Ganesh told IANS.

With some seats being located in the naxal affected regions of the eastern Uttar Pradesh in the May 7 polls, more security cover is provided to the polling officials on duty, Ganesh said.

-- end of updates for 1 May --

10.53 pm: Will remember the first FIR against me, says Modi

Reacting to the case registered against him by Gujarat police on Election Commission's order for addressing the media after casting his vote in Ahmedabad and displaying BJP's symbol, Narendra Modi today said it was the first FIR of his life which he will never forget.

He also lashed out at Congress, saying it was facing defeat and was worried that "a person who (once) eked out his livelihood by selling tea" was challenging it.

Addressing a campaign rally here, Modi said, "To date in my entire life, not even a single FIR was registered against me, not even for wrong-side scooter driving, and not even for wrong parking.

"Suddenly today when I landed here I came to know that an FIR has been registered against me... I will never forget April 30. One can understand if someone points (threatens with) a knife, a pistol or a gun (and FIR is registered). But do you know why a FIR was registered against me? Because I showed a lotus to the people," he said.

7.34 pm: West Bengal sees high polling with 81%, Gujarat 62%

The highest voter turnout was recorded in Dadra and Nagar Haveli with 85% polling and the lowest in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar with 25% polling.

Meanwhile, 73% turnout was recorded for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab and 60% in the seven seats in Bihar. Daman and Diu recorded a turnout of 76%.

Gujarat saw moderate polling with recording a 62% voter turnout for all it 26 LS seats and Telangana registered 70% polling for all 17 Lok Sabha seats. Uttar Pradesh saw 57.10% polling for 14 Lok Sabha seats and West Bengal 81.35% for 9 seats.

6.57 pm: AAP welcomes FIR against Modi, says he is 'habitual offender'

Welcoming the FIR registered against Narendra Modi for violating the election law, the Aam Aadmi Party today called BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate a habitual offender who has been consistently violating poll norms and model code of conduct.

"Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, Narendra Modi has been consistently violating the election laws and the model code of conduct during the ongoing campaigning.

"The Election Commission's direction to the Gujarat government for registration of an FIR against him on Wednesday is only an indication of the habitual offences being committed by Mr Modi and the BJP," AAP said a statement.

The party has already approached the EC for another alleged poll violation in Varanasi when Modi undertook a roadshow before filing his nomination from the temple town on 24 April.

6.15 pm: 2 FIRs filed against Modi for violating poll code

After direction from the Election Commission, the Ahmedabad Crime branch has filed two FIRs against Narendra Modi.

The BJP's prime ministerial candidate came under the EC scanner after he flashed the BJP's election symbol and gave a speech at a place where elections were being held. This goes against the model code of conduct.

5.46 pm: Dadra and Nagar Haveli sees high voter turnout of 75% till 3 pm

Meanwhile, nearly 75 percent of the electors Wednesday voted in Dadra and Nagar Haveli for the lone parliamentary seat in the union territory, officials said.

Poll officials said 74.42 percent voting was recorded till 3 pm and the percentage was likely to go above 80 percent by the time voting ends.

The prominent candidates are incumbent MP Natubhai Gomanbhai Patel of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mohanbhai Sanjibhai Delkar of the Congress, Janiyabhai Chandubhai Khulat of the Nationalist Congress Party and Chhotubhai Babubhai Patel of the Aam Aadmi Party. Seven others are also in the fray.

Over 200,000 electors, including 46 percent women, are eligible to vote. Over 26 percent of the electorate is in the 18-25 age group.

Balloting is taking place at 163 polling booths.

In 2009, the BJP had polled 46.43 percent votes, while the Congress had polled fractionally less at 45.87 percent. The overall voter turnout was 73.23 percent.

4.05 pm: Modi has done nothing wrong, says BJP

In its first reaction to the Election Commission notice on its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the BJP has said that he did not violate the model code of conduct.

Party spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi speaking to media said, "We respect EC, whatever EC's verdict will be, we will abide by it. According to us Mr.Modi did not violate any code of conduct".

3.22 pm: Gujarat police to file FIR against Modi on EC directions

Following the Election Commission order, the Gujarat police will now file an FIR against its Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Times Now, quoted police sources as saying that following the EC directive, they were under obligation to file an FIR against Modi at the police station near where his address to the media took place.

If a candidate is found 