An estimated 68 percent of the 18 million eligible to vote in the first phase exercised their franchise by end of balloting at 5 p.m. in 87 of the 182 assembly constituencies, the Election Commission said.

It was the highest voting percentage since 61.54 percent of the electorate voted in 2002. This slid to 59.77 percent in 2007. Earlier, 59.30 percent had voted in 1998.