Polling for by-election of Doomariyaganj assembly seat of Uttar Pradesh today started on a dull note as only nine per cent votes were cast in the first three hours of polling, election department officials said.

"Only nine per cent electorates exercised their franchisee till 10 AM as polling continued peacefully and no complaint was received from any polling centre," they said.

To ensure free and fair election, tight security arrangements have been made for the by-poll, officials said.

"Central para-military force, Provincial Armed Constabullary (PAC) along with local police have been deployed and special vigil is being maintained at sensitive and super sensitive polling stations," they said.

Total 11 candidates, including four women, are in fray for the seat, which fell vacant following demise of sitting BSP MLA Taufeeq Ahmad in January last.

Three lakh electorate, including 1.63 lakh male and 1.38 female, are likely to practise their franchise at 364 polling stations in two districts - Siddharth Nagar and Basti.

"While micro-observers have been deployed at 40 per cent of the polling stations, 35 sector magistrates and five zonal magistrates would oversee the election process," they said.