An estimated 55 per cent of the 1.07 crore voters exercised their votes today (October 21, 2010) in 47 of the 243 assembly constituencies in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections. The first phase of elections passed off by and large peacefully amid tight security in all constituencies. Polling in Seemnchal region especially Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Araria and Mudhbani remained peaceful apart from small scuffles.
Women voters at a Polling Booth in Kishanganj District
As per reports more than 150 persons were arrested for indulging in electoral malpractices and trying to disturb polling. Director General of Police Neelmani said, adding several vehicles, including motorcycles were seized. He described the voting as absolutely peaceful. An official report from Madhepura district said that BPL card holders and local people pelted stones at two booths, but they were pacified by authorities who allowed them to cast their ballots. A bomb exploded outside a booth at Laukha in Madhubani district, but there was no injury, police sources said.
Voters at Mahhiyarpur Polling Booth
Miffed over alleged apathy of the state authorities towards development of their areas, voters stayed away from at least 12 polling booths spread over Madhubani, Purnia, Araria, Madhepura and Kishanganj districts in the first phase of poll in Bihar today. Reports reaching the state headquarters here said, voters did not exercise franchise at booth 113 and 14 under Benipatti assembly segment and booth 178 and 37 in Rajnagar seat in Madhubani district. Similarly, the electorate did not turn up at booth 173 and 174 in Alamnagar assembly constituency where state JD(U) minister Narendra Narain Yadav was locked in a triangular fight with RJD and Congress nominees.
In Araria, voters boycotted the poll at booth 192 under Jokihat assembly segment, while in Kishanganj, people boycotted voting at booth 104 in Bahadurganj seat. The voters did not participate in today's exercise in two booths each in Rupauli and Banmankhi assembly segments in Purnia district, the reports said. People also held demonstrations and shouted slogans against the state government for alleged neglect of their areas.
An Electronic Device Used for Voting
Voters at Mahhiyarpur Polling Booth
Miffed over alleged apathy of the state authorities towards development of their areas, voters stayed away from at least 12 polling booths spread over Madhubani, Purnia, Araria, Madhepura and Kishanganj districts in the first phase of poll in Bihar today. Reports reaching the state headquarters here said, voters did not exercise franchise at booth 113 and 14 under Benipatti assembly segment and booth 178 and 37 in Rajnagar seat in Madhubani district. Similarly, the electorate did not turn up at booth 173 and 174 in Alamnagar assembly constituency where state JD(U) minister Narendra Narain Yadav was locked in a triangular fight with RJD and Congress nominees.
Voters at a polling booth in Kishanganj
In Araria, voters boycotted the poll at booth 192 under Jokihat assembly segment, while in Kishanganj, people boycotted voting at booth 104 in Bahadurganj seat. The voters did not participate in today's exercise in two booths each in Rupauli and Banmankhi assembly segments in Purnia district, the reports said. People also held demonstrations and shouted slogans against the state government for alleged neglect of their areas.
