PATNA: (AMN); The first phase of Assembly elections in Bihar passed off peacefully on Thursday with over 54 per cent voters caste their vote in 47 constituencies.
Briefing media, the Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi said that the polling was by and large peaceful except some minor incidents. He said that people boycotted the polls at ten polling stations alleging lack of development work.
Zutshi said that the polling figure may rise as there were queues at several booths even at 5 p.m.
Director General of police Neelmani termed the polling as absolutely peaceful. He however said that 150 persons were arrested for indulging in electoral malpractices and trying to disturb polling.
85 per cent of booths were manned by central paramilitary forces and armed police from other states, the rest were guarded by the Bihar Military Police.
Elections were held for 47 assembly seats in this phase for which 631 candidates are in the fray.
Pollings were held in 47 constituencies spread over eight districts of Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnea, Katihar, Madhepura and Saharsa.
Earlier Chief Electoral officer Sudhir Kumar Rakesh told media persons that Observers and Micro Observers have been appointed to ensure free and fair polls. Ten thousand eight hundred sixty eight polling booths have been made. He said that for the first time the election commission has made an arrangement to live web cast the voting process from 20 percent of the booths.