Lacklustre start to Uttarakhand polls

Polling for the assembly elections in Uttarakhand to elect 70 legislators began a dull note despite a clear sky.[caption id="attachment_197314" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="The Uttarakhand polls will be closely contested. PTI"][/caption]As of 10 am, only 10 percent polling was recorded, said state chief electorate officer Radha Raturi. However, the polling was peaceful, she said.In most of the polling booths, people began queuing up as the day progressed, officials said.Over 63 lakh voters are expected to exercise their franchise in the elections where the ruling BJP is locked in a close fight against Congress.The elections will also decide the fate of top state leaders including Chief Minister BC Khanduri from Kotdwar, former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank from Doiwala, the leader of opposition Harak Singh Rawat from Rudraprayag and PCC chief Yashpal Arya from Baajpur seats.The polling which began at 8 am on Monday will end at 5 pm.A total of 788 candidates are contesting 70 seats.PTI