UP elections 2017: First phase records exemplary 63 per cent voters turn out

First phase of Uttar Pradesh polls in 73 assembly constituencies on Saturday witnessed an exemplary 63 per cent voters turnout.

The turnout was recorded at 5 PM and the percentage could go up as people were still in queues then, said the Election Commission.

Though the poll panel did not give the figures of voter turnout in the corresponding seats in the 2012 assembly polls.

The overall turnout in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls was 59.12 per cent.

Deputy Election Commissioner in charge of Uttar Pradesh Vijay Dev termed the turnout as "exemplary" and said it will "set the tone for the remaining six phases" to be held between February 15 and March 8.

In Meerut, police detained Gagan Som, brother of controversial BJP leader Sangeet Som, for carrying a pistol inside a polling booth.

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In the 73 constituencies where polling was held, SP and BSP had bagged 24 seats each in the 2012 polls, BJP 11, RLD nine and Congress five.

With PTI Inputs