ANWARUL HODA /AMN /
Long queues are being seen at many polling booths in the first phase of Bihar assembly polls.An estimated 27 percent electorates have so far exercised their right of franchise during the first four hours of voting till 11 am.
Maximum 34 percentage voting was recorded in Khagaria district of the state. Youths especially women are very much enthusiastic towards their votes.
Polling is continuing peacefully amid tight security arrangements. No untoward incident has been reported from any parts of the state.
Non functioning of EVMs were reported from some constituencies but after getting reports concerned authorities have removed non- operational EVMs.
Polling began at 7 am in 49 constituencies spread over 10 districts in this phase.
Voting will continue upto 5 pm. In four constituencies of naxal- affected Jamui district voting will conclude at 3 pm.
Besides Rajauli and Govindpur constituencies in Nawada district, Tarapur and Jamalpur constituencies in Munger and Suryagarha constituency in Lakhisarai district, polling time will be till 3 pm.
In Alauli and Beldaur constituencies of Khagaria district and Katoria and Belhar constituencies of Banka district, voting will end at 4 pm.
13, 212 polling booths have been set up in this phase. Over one crore 35 lakhs voters will decide the electoral fortune of 583 candidates, including 54 women.
Important candidates whose fate will be decided today include Ministers Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Damodar Rawat.