New Delhi, Apr 11 (IANS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday said the initial voter turnout across 91 Lok Sabha constituencies spread over 18 states and two Union Territories appears "encouraging" for the party.

"The voter turnout in most areas was around 35 per cent and in some areas it even touched 40 per cent (in six hours). If this is the trend, the voter turnout is very encouraging," Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters here.

She said the party workers from various states have reported that the "mahaul" (atmosphere) was "encouraging".

"Voters are turning out to vote despite the hot weather. I am sure if this trend continues, we will have a good respectable voter turnout. The BJP and the NDA's workers are feeling extremely motivated," the Minister added.

Voting for Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha was going on simultaneously along with polling for Lok Sabha constituencies in the first phase.