Election update: Phase 3 turnout; Sonu Sood's car seized; SP's EVM fault claim | UP, Punjab polls

The third phase of the ongoing state elections ended on February 20. In Uttar Pradesh, around 2.06 crore voters reportedly turned up to cast their ballot till 5 pm, leading to a provisional voter turnout of over 57% in 59 constituencies. Punjab reportedly saw 63.44% voter turnout till 5 pm as all 117 constituencies in the state went to polls.

Actor Sonu Sood got into trouble with authorities after trying to enter a polling booth in Punjab, as per reports. Sood allegedly tried to enter a booth in Moga, where his sister Malvika is the Congress candidate. Police seized Sonu's car and sent him home with strict orders to not step out again, as per reports. The actor claimed that he went to the booth after information that Opposition parties were issuing threats at some booths, and distributing cash at others.

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Amid phase 3 of voting in Uttar Pradesh, the Opposition Samajwadi Party alleged malfunctioning of electronic voting machines, or EVMs, in various places. SP tweeted that in Kanpur Dehat's Bhognipur, the EVM-VVPAT was issuing BJP's slip even if SP's button was pressed at Booth 121. The party also alleged the EVM at booth number 38 in Farrukhabad does not have a button corresponding to the SP's cycle symbol.

Meanwhile, Kanpur mayor Pramila Pandey kicked up a storm by reportedly getting photographed while casting her vote in favour of the BJP. An FIR was reportedly lodged against the mayor for breach of secrecy of voting.

Punjab's CM hopefuls were seen casting their ballot as 117 seats in the border state vote in a single phase. Shiromani Akali Dal leaders Parkash Singh Badal, son Sukhbir, and his wife Harsimrat cast their votes in Muktsar. Incumbent Punjab CM and Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi cast his vote in Kharar.