54 pc voter turn-out in Bihar third phase

About 54 per cent of 1.03 crore electors cast their votes on Thursday in 48 constituencies that went to polls in the third phase of the Bihar Assembly elections which passed of by and large peacefully.

State Chief Electoral Officer Sudhir Kumar Rakesh said 58 per cent polling was recorded in West Champaran, 57 per cent in East Champaran, 51 per cent in Gopalgunj, 52 per cent in Siwan, 50 per cent in Saran and 54 per cent in Vaishali districts.

Over 185 persons were detained during the poll, which witnessed minor incidents of clash and scuffle, but was otherwise peaceful and smooth, Director General of Police Neelmani said. Around 60 vehicles were also seized.

Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal workers clashed at two booths under Raxaul Assembly constituency in East Champaran district, but none was injured, official sources said.

A scuffle broke out between supporters of two rival candidates at a booth at Madhavpur in Lalganj constituency in Vaishali district, they said.

Independent candidate Awdhesh Singh was arrested with Rs 15,000 in cash for allegedly influencing voters in Amnour constituency in Saran district, they said.

A presiding officer was arrested on instructions of an executive magistrate from a booth in Gopalganj constituency on charges of committing electoral irregularities, they said.

Constable Pramod Pandey was detained from a booth in an inebriated state in Gopalganj town. An old woman died at a booth at Badhara in Siwan district, they said.

The car of state BJP minister Renu Devi was seized in Bettiah town, the sources said.

Defects in EVMs were reported from a few polling centres in Balmikingar, Bagha, Bettiah, Siwan, Vaishali and Gopalganj constituencies, but they were rectified or replaced.

Voters boycotted polling at four booths - two in Bettiah assembly constituency and one each in Bhore and Raxaul.