Polling begins on peaceful note in Patna West segment

Patna, Apr 24(UNI)Polling for the byelections for Patna West assembly constituency began at peaceful note this morning amid tight security arrangements.

Sources at the state headquarters said polling was peaceful so far and no untoward incident had been reported from any part of the constituency.

District Magistrate B Rajendra said Central Paramilitary Force had been deployed at sensitive pockets for ensuing free and fair polls. He said of the 531 polling booths 433 had been identified as hyper sensitive.

Meanwhile, senior police superintendent Kundan Krishnan said no boats were plying in the river Gandak under Patna (west) constituency. He said strict vigil was being maintained along the borders of the district and there was no vehicular movement.

Patrolling has been intensified in the area.

Altogether 512,506 voters, inclduing 292,068 males and 220,438 female voters would exercise their franchise to decide the political fate of 13 candidates fighting from Patna West segment.

Sources at the state election office said polling which began at 0700 hrs would continue till 1700 hrs for which a total number of 584 EVMs had been arranged.

Nitin Navin of BJP and Ajay Kumar Singh of Congress, three candidates of registered political parties and 8 Independents are in the fray for the byelection, which had been necessitated following the sudden death of Mr Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha.

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