New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed the voters in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to exercise their franchise and participate in the "festival of democracy".

"Today (Wednesday) is the polling day in Uttarakhand. I appeal all the voters to cast their vote and participate in the festival of democracy," Modi tweeted.

Making a similar appeal to the voters in Uttar Pradesh, Modi said: "Today (Wednesday) is the second phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh. I request all the voters to participate in the festival of democracy in huge numbers and exercise their franchise."

Voting for 69 seats of the Uttarakhand assembly began at 8 a.m. on Wednesday amid tight security.

This is the fourth assembly poll in the hill state where 75,13,547 voters will decide the fate of 628 candidates.

Polling for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, spanning 67 constituencies in 11 districts, began on Wednesday morning amid tight security.

The fate of 721 candidates is to be sealed by balloting of 2.28 crore voters.