Bihar Assembly polls: Maoists raid polling centre in Sitamarhi

Sitamarhi, Oct 24 (ANI): Heavily-armed Maoists today raided a polling centre and burnt electronic voting machines in Bihar's Sitamarhi district, where the second phase of Assembly elections are being held under the shadow of Maoist boycott call.

According to sources, the Maoists raided the polling centre at Subaigarh under Runisaidpur constituency and burnt some poll material early this morning.

Meanwhile, despite Naxal threats the polling started at 7 a.m. and it will continue till 5 p.m. except five constituencies of Minapur, Paru, Sahebganj, Sheohar and Belsand where it will end at 3 pm.

Over 98 lakh electorates will decide the fate of 623 candidates including 46 women in 45constituencies spread over six districts of Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Darbhanga and Samastipur.

Out of over 10 thousand polling booths, 3,700 have been declared super sensitive.

Political stalwarts whose fate will be decided include state RJD chief Abdul Bari Siddiqui (Alinagar), his JD(U) counterpart Vijay Kumar Choudhary (Sarairanjan), ministers Ramnath Thakur (Samastipur) and Shahid Ali Khan (Sursand).

Bihar Director General of Police Neelmani said that state's borders with Nepal and West Bengal have been sealed to prevent any infiltration of anti social elements.

He said Jawans of Special Task Force would maintain air surveillance from helicopters to ensure trouble free polls.

The third phase of election will take place on October 28 for 48 seats, the fourth on November1 for 42 seats, the fifth phase on November 9 for 25 seats and the sixth and last phase on November 20 for 26 seats.

Counting of votes will take place on November 24. (ANI)