New Delhi: Amid sporadic violence that left three persons dead, an estimated 50 per cent voters today (Oct 13, 2004) exercised their franchise for 288-member Maharashtra Assembly and by-polls to three Lok Sabha and 39 Vidhan Sabha seats spread across 16 States.

Two persons were killed in poll-related violence in Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency and one in Atrauli Assembly seat in Uttar Pradesh where by-polls were held along with11 other Assembly seats.

Barring an attack by insurgents on a police patrol in naxal-infested Godchiroli district in Vidarbha region, balloting was peaceful for Maharashtra Assembly polls, the first major face-off between the ruling Congress-NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) and the opposition BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-Shiv Sena after the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government assumed power at the Centre.

A policeman was injured in the naxal attack, police said adding an IAF chopper narrowly escaped a grenade attack at the same place last evening (Oct 12, 2004).

Voting began on a dull note but picked up as the day progressed with voters lining up before polling stations to participate in the democratic process.