Cricketer-turned-politician Mohammad Kaif casts his vote in Allahabad

Former cricketer and Congress candidate from Phulpur constituency, Mohammad Kaif, cast his vote in Allahabad ​on Wednesday in the penultimate phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

"People must exercise their right to vote. We have done a lot of hard work. I have personally visited people and listened to their problems. I want to work for people and development. Now it is upto the public for decide," said Kaif after casting his vote. His wife Pooja also voted.

Sixty-four Lok Sabha constituencies spread over seven states and 175 assembly constituencies in the Seemandhra region went to polls early in the morning amid tight security.

Wednesday, May 7, is the eighth and penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The Lok Sabha constituencies going to polls are 25 in Andhra Pradesh, 15 in Uttar Pradesh, seven in Bihar, six in West Bengal, five in Uttarakhand, four in Himachal Pradesh and two in Jammu and Kashmir.

Prominent candidates in the fray are Congress Party vice president Rahul Gandhi, Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma, Union HRD Minister M.M. Pallam Raju, ex-Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif and television actress Smriti Irani.

Varun Gandhi, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Anurag Thakur, Ram Vilas Paswan, Rabri Devi and Kumar Vishwas are the other prominent leaders whose political future will be decided today.

The Election Commission has reportedly taken several steps to ensure free and fair polling during the last two phases of the general elections.

Also Read: Live updates of the eighth phase of the Lok Sabha elections