Violence Marks UP Local Elections As Counting Begins After Voting

Counting of votes in Uttar Pradesh for the 476 posts of block panchayat chiefs was underway after the polling ended at 3 pm, the State Election Commission said.

Violence in several places on Saturday tarred local polls in Uttar Pradesh, where political developments have assumed heightened significance ahead of the all-important state elections early next year. There were reports of violence from the Hamirpur district where opposition Samajwadi Party workers alleged that BJP activists attacked them with sticks and stopped their voters from reaching the polling booths. Policemen were also beaten up in the clash and vehicles damaged. In Chandauli district too BJP and Samajwadi workers clashed, with incidents of stone-throwing and motorcycles being vandalised. The police had to use sticks to beat back the fighting political workers. Similar incidents were reported in Etawah and Ayodhya districts among others as well. Counting of votes for the 476 posts of block panchayat chiefs was underway after the polling ended at 3 pm, the State Election Commission said.