Kairana, Noorpur by-polls: Voter turnout 50%, counting begins today
What's the story
Counting of votes for the Kairana Lok Sabha and Noorpur Assembly by-elections in Uttar Pradesh began today amid tight security arrangements. The by-elections saw a peaceful polling with a voter turnout of over 50%. Polling in the two constituencies on Monday was spoiled by complaints of snags in the EVMs. Following this, repolling was held at 73 polling stations in Kairana yesterday.
Deaths of MLAs
By-polls conducted after death of MLAs in Noorpur and Kairana
The Kairana by-poll was necessitated following the death of BJP MP Hukum Singh in February. His daughter Mriganka Singh was pitted by the party against Rashtriya Lok Dal's Tabassum Hasan, who is supported by the Congress, the Samajwadi Party, and the Bahujan Samaj Party. Similarly, Noorpur by-poll was necessitated following the death of BJP MLA Lokendra Singh Chauhan in a road accident in February.
BJP's efforts
BJP putting extra effort to win both seats
While BJP reposed faith in Avani Singh, wife of late MLA Lokendra Chauhan, as its candidate for Noorpur by-poll, the SP fielded Naeemul Hasan as its nominee. After the defeat of the BJP in Gorakhpur and Phoolpur Lok Sabha by-polls, opposition parties are upbeat aiming to consolidate anti-BJP votes, whereas the ruling BJP has made extra efforts to retain both the seats.