The second phase of Bihar elections has seen a fair turnout despite the shadow of Naxal violence. An estimated 53 per cent of voters exercised their franchise in 45 constituencies which went to polls. Some 222 polling stations had web casting facilities. There were some eight cases of paid news reported. The polling was marred by stray incidents of violence in Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga districts. (Read: Tight security for phase II).
Maoists raided a polling centre in Sitamarhi district and set fire to poll materials, while a minister escaped unhurt in an attack in neighbouring Muzaffarpur district. Heavily-armed Maoists raided the polling centre (116) at Subaigarh in Runisaidpur constituency and burnt down the electronic voting machines besides other materials early this morning before voting began, Superintendent of Police P Rakesh Rathi told to media.
Three polling personnel were missing after the incident, Returning Officer for the seat Shivdani Singh said. Maoists have called for election boycott in Bihar and the incident was stated to be part of their design to enforce the call.. Earlier on Friday, a landmine blast triggered by them in Sheohar district killed six policemen, and the Election Commission changed the poll timings in some constituencies.
Bihar polls Phase II: Key constituencies
Belsand (Sitamadhi), Sikandarpur (Samastipur), Kalyanpur (Muzaffarpur): Rahul Gandhi campaigned in these constituencies
Kusheshwar Asthan ( Darbhanga): Three way fight between Congress, LJP, BJP
Darbhanga (Gramin): Significant Muslim population
