Bihar Polls: 54 pc turnout in the First phase

Patna, Oct 21: 54 percent voters exercised their franchise on the first day of the Bihar state Assembly elections which began on Thursday, Oct 21, amid tight security.

Voting was started at 7 am and was conducted peacefully in all the 47 constituencies. In the later part of the voting several malpractices were also reported.

Police said, nearly 300 people from several parts of the state were arrested in the case of electoral malpractices.

At Madhubani district a bomb was exploded outside a polling booth but no casualties were been reported.

In the first five hours of polling till 1 pm, 36 percent turnout was recorded. However, later the voting rate was recorded good, state election officials said.

The next phase of polling is on Oct 24, where 45 of the state's 243 seats go to the polls. Counting of votes will take place on Nov 24.

OneIndia News