New Delhi: An estimated 50 to 55 per cent of the 17.5 crore electorate today (Apr 26, 2004) cast their votes in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections for 136 seats in 11 States marred by violence that left eight people, including a polling magistrate and two security personnel, dead and several injured.

The highest percentage of polling of over 65 per cent was reported from Assam, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The polling in Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir from where National Conference president Omar Abdullah is seeking re-election, was by and large peaceful though voters' turnout was moderate.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...
Political Parties in India

Among the 1,278 candidates whose electoral fortune was decided included Congress president Sonia Gandhi (Rae Bareilly), her son Rahul (Amethi) Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi (Mumbai North Central), Defence Minister George Fernandes (Muzaffarpur), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Laloo Yadav (Chapra), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati (Akbarpur), 10 Union Ministers and two former Prime Ministers.

Orissa and Jharkhand recorded a turnout of about 55 per cent, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Goa with 40 to 45 per cent, Maharashtra 40 per cent and Manipur 35 per cent.

Polling was also held for the second and final phase of Assembly elections in 147 of the 294 seats in Andhra Pradesh, 104 of the 224 seats in Karnataka and 70 of the 147 seats in Orissa.

Reports of violence have come from Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand.