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Forty five percent polling in Bihar in first phase
by Ajay Kumar

     Patna: Amid a few small incidents reported, voting for first phase of Bihar Assembly polls in the 57 assembly constituencies of twelve districts, completed almost peacefully this evening. One person, identified as Musafir Paswan, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Kashibigha village of Warsaliganj constituency in Nawada district while going to vote early this morning. There were reports of faults in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) from Phulwari, Sasaram, Arwal, Dumraon and Paliganj seats, which were being looked into. About 45 percent voters out of 12 million people exercised their franchise for the polls covering Patna, Bhojpur, Buxar, Kaimur, Rohtas, Gaya, Jehanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad, Nawada, Banka and Jamui districts. Special Advisor to the Election Commission KJ Rao himself conducted an aerial survey of some of the constituencies during voting. He is in the state to review the arrangements for the next phases of polling.

     Earlier this morning, Rao postponed polling in four booths in Imamganj Assembly constituency in Gaya district due to absence of security and police personnel there. The polling there would now take on October 21 after deployment of adequate security personnel, he said. This is the second time that elections are being held in the state as none of the parties could register it's eligibility to form Government in February this year, which was followed by President's rule in Bihar. Polling for the second phase covering 69 assemblies will be held on October 26, while 72 constituencies would be covered in the third phase on 13th November. The last phase of polling, covering 41 seats will be on 19th November. Counting of votes would be taken up on 22nd November. Besides, 90,000 law enforcement personnel, Air Force choppers had been deployed for aerial patrolling, to ensure smooth, free and fair elections in the state.