gaddam@remus.rutgers.edu (Surekha Reddy Gaddam) (06/13/91)
================================================================ Source: Dow-Jones newsline ( dow-jones.indust.gen) From: "Arun K. Gupta" <ag3l+@andrew.cmu.edu> ================================================================ NEW DELHI, India -AP- Voters in India resumed their quest for a new government today in elections interrupted three weeks ago by the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Floods from the summer monsoon rains hampered voting in some areas. Preliminary reports from the Election Commission put the turnout at around 35 pc a few hours before the 10-hour voting period ended. Security was increased in the 13 states and two territories that went to the polls today. In the eastern state of Bihar, the most lawless in the nation, eight people were shot to death in clashes among supporters of rival parties, the chief election commissioner said. Nine people were killed across the country in election violence yesterday, news reports said. The election campaign, the most violent in India's 43 years of independence, had claimed at least 233 lives through the first round of voting on May 20. About 40 pc of the country voted then, but the rest of the balloting was postponed when Gandhi was assassinated May 21 at a campaign rally in southern India. Today's voting was to fill 113 of Parliament's 543 elected seats. Another 186 are to be chosen Saturday. The previous elections covered 213 seats. Elections for the rest of the seats have been delayed or canceled because of violence. No results were expected until Sunday. End of article ==============