AMN /
Polling is going on for the third phase of Bihar Assembly elections in 50 constituencies, spread over six districts. An estimated 21 percent votes were cast till 11 am. Highest 25 percent votes were reported polled in Saran District, followed by 24 percent in Vaishali. The other districts going to polls in this phase are – Patina, Nalanda, Bhojpur and Buxar.
Repolling is also being held at booth no.131 of Banka Assembly constituency and at booth no.188 of Chakai constituency. Polling on these booths was held on October 12 during the first phase of polling.
Governor Ramnath Kovind and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar exercised their right of franchise. Besides, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, RJD President Lalu Prasad along with former Chief Minister Rabri Devi also cast their votes.
Non-functioning EVMs have been reported from a few places in Nalanda, Bhojpur, Buxar and Siwan districts. Polling, which began at 7 AM will conclude at 5 PM in 40 constituencies, while in the remaining 10 Naxal-affected seats, it will end at 4 PM. Over one crore 45 lakh electorates will decide the electoral fate of 808 candidates, including 71 women.
Important candidates include Opposition leader Nand Kishore Yadav, Deputy Speaker of the Bihar Assembly Amarendra Pratap Singh, Ministers Shravan Kumar and Shyam Rajak, and former Union Minister Akhilesh Prasad Singh. Eyes will also be on RJD Chief Lalu Prasad’s sons Tej Pratap and Tejaswi Prasad Yadav who are contesting from Mahua and Raghopur Assembly constituencies in Vaishali district.