UP voters eye upon development

Shahjahanpur/ Bareilly, Mar 3 (ANI): Amid the ongoing polling for the seventh and penultimate phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, voters in Shahjahanpur district of the state have expressed their desire of having an honest leader, who would keep a check on the spiralling inflation and bring in development aimed at providing welfare to the common man.

Seema Saxena, who is a homemaker, said the spiralling inflation has made it difficult for them to make both ends meet.

"We want a good leader who could meet our requirements. Inflation should be checked as inflation is increasing day by day but our income is very less. It is getting very difficult to run a household. There should be development in the city," she said.

Another voter, Mohammad Salman, echoing similar sentiments said a large number of people would vote for change, since the incumbent government has failed to provide them with basic amenities.

"There is no development in the city at all. The roads are damaged and there is water and power crisis. Every man is worried. Therefore, I would like to choose a legislature who would work for the development of the city and who would pay attention to our problems and addresses it," said Salman.

Over 25 percent voting had been recorded till noon in the polling for the seventh and penultimate phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls covering 60 seats spread over 10 districts, which began this this morning.

Voting, which began on a slow note today, will continue till 5 p.m.

A total of 18,927 polling stations have been set up and the Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for this phase.

Inspecting one of the booths in Shahjahanpur district, Navdeep Ridba, District Magistrate, said he was confident about voters turning out in large numbers, as the concerned authorities have made adequate arrangements.Polling is progressing peacefully in all the constituencies without any problems. Initially, the returning officers faced some problems with voting machines, but we had sent master trainers to solve the problems. Looking at the excitement among the voters, hopefully, voter turnout in Shahjahanpur district will be much higher as compared to earlier elections," said Ridba.

Meanwhile, Ajay Sharma, a voter from Bareilly district, praised the Election Commission for taking adequate steps to ensure that polling takes place in a free and fair manner across the district.

"Till now, educated people used to refrain from casting their vote as they feared unnecessary scuffle and stampedes. But, this time due to the proper arrangements by the election commission, they are coming forward to cast their votes. This would lead to increase in voting turnout. Security arrangements are very good. Deployed personnel of BSF (Border Security Force) are alert and efficient," said Sharma.

The Uttar Pradesh polls are being viewed as an opportunity for major political parties to re-establish their foothold in the country's fifth largest and most populous state.

The first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth phases of polling occurred on February 8, 11, 15, 19, 23 and 28 respectively. A new 403-member state assembly will be elected in March.

The poll results will broadly indicate trends for the 2014 general elections. (ANI)