gaddam@remus.rutgers.edu (Surekha Reddy Gaddam) (05/20/91)
From: KSRAO@power.eee.ndsu.nodak.edu
Date: Mon, 20 May 91 09:32 - 0500
Approved: GADDAM@remus.rutgers.edu
Subject: Election - First day's Polling
Organization: EEE dept. NDSU
BBC WS (Mark Tulley) reported that turnout seems to be a little low.
In the election violence on Monday, over 20 people are killed. In Bihar 7
people are killed and 14 persons are killed in UP. In Meerut (district or town)
11 persons were killed and curfew has been imposed. Curfew is imposed in one
more UP city (in probably Bulandshahr district). According to BBC TV, there
were clashes in Kanpur between Hindus and Muslims which resulted in three
persons dead on Sunday. There is a curfew in Kanpur. The polling in Kanpur is
on Sunday.
Of the seven killed in Bihar is included a polling officer. In Etawah
constituency there was a fight among rival groups and in Guntur district there
was an explosion near a polling station.
In another report from Hyderabad, BBC reported that there was brisk
polling in the city. But PWG has asked many people to boycott the elections. It
is not known what effect it will have on the turnout in AP. BBC correspondent
in AP said that she has noticed 'small scale rigging', like sale of chemicals
to get rid of indelible ink etc. Asked who will be the beneficiary, she said it
will even out.
According to Chandan Mishra (on BBC), the turnout was between 40 and 45
percent by early afternoon. He says it is slightly lower than in 1989.
The chief Mullah (probably Shahi Imam) of Jama Masjid has issued a
fatwa asking all muslims to vote for VPS.
According to Radio Australia, there was a very good turnout in Bihar
(helping VPS0 and in Rajasthan (helping BJP). The turnout in Amethi seems to be
ver low. The polling has been voided in 17 places (I take it as
constituencies).
According to AIR, the polling in many of the voided booths and
constituencies will take place on Wednesday. (AIR reception in Fargo is lousy
and I will wait for Narotham's posting for AIR reports)
K. Sankara Rao ksrao@power.eee.ndsu.nodak.edu
Department of Electrical Engineering
North Dakota State University, Fargo
K. Sankara Rao ksrao@power.eee.ndsu.nodak.edu
Department of Electrical Engineering
North Dakota State University, Fargo