PATNA/ NEW DELHI: About 53 per cent voters on Sunday exercised their franchise in the second phase of Assembly elections in Bihar. Elections were held in 45 assembly constituencies in this phase. Voting was by and large peaceful except some stray incidents. Three polling officials of a polling booth in Sitamarhi are missing and investigation is on to trace them. People boycotted polling in four places in three districts of Dharbangha, Sitamarhi and Samastipur to register their protest for the reported neglect in development process
Talking to media persons the Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi said in New Delhi that 52.5 per cent voters cast their votes till 5 PM and many more were in lines to exercise their franchise. This he said is bound to increase the voting percentage.
He said that the voters exercised their right without any fear as 132 preventive arrests were made. Today’s voting is to decide the fate of 623 candidates including 46 women.
Chief Electoral Officer Sudhir Kumar Rakesh said that the maximum polling of 58 per cent was reported from East Champaran. Voting was conducted amidst tight security