53.40% voter turnout recorded across 6 seats in MP till 3 pm

A voter turnout of 53.40 per cent was recorded till 3 pm in six Lok Sabha constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, where elections are underway in the first phase on Friday, an official said.

The constituency-wise polling percentage is: Balaghat 63.69 per cent, Chhindwara 62.57, Jabalpur 48.05, Mandla 58.28, Shahdol 48.64 and Sidhi 40.60, the official said.

Voting in Baihar and Paraswada assembly constituencies under the Balaghat Lok Sabha seat was held from 7 am to 4 pm for security reasons due to Naxal influence, he said, adding that a centre in Dublai area in Baihar constituency saw 100 per cent voting, with all 80 voters there exercising their franchise.

The early voters in the state included former chief minister Kamal Nath, his son Nakul Nath, who is contesting from the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat, and their spouses.