On day China cribs,72% vote in Arunachal

On a day when China renewed its claim on Arunachal Pradesh,the state voted overwhelmingly in Assembly election,with the voter turnout touching 72 per cent by the evening. Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla said the figure could go up to 80 per cent when the final figures are tallied. Voting from 11 polling stations in West Kameng district was also webcast.

In Maharashtra,around 60 per cent of the 7.56 crore electorate cast their votes. In the Naxalite-hit Gondia,the voter turnout was 63 per cent.

In Haryana,the voter turnout was 66 per cent. The CEC said figures could go up after the final tally.

The elections were by and large peaceful. The CEC said almost all political parties in Maharashtra had asked for the counting to be deferred after Diwali. The counting is being held on October 22.