Bihar Assembly Polls: First Phase Sees 55.69% Final Voter Turnout

In 2015, the voter turnout in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections was 54.94 percent.

In view of the pandemic and fear of violence in areas affected by Maoist extremists, voting was far from brisk in the morning hours.

(Photo: Kamran Akhter/The Quint)

The Election Commission on Thursday, 29 October, said that 55.69 percent final voter turnout had been recorded in the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections on Wednesday.

In 2015, the voter turnout in the first phase was 54.94 percent, and it was 53.54 in the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora had said on Wednesday at a press conference.

Earlier, a voter turnout of 53.54 percent had been recorded on Wednesday till 6 pm.

IANS reported that polling for the first phase of the elections only gathered momentum on Wednesday afternoon, with voting having started at a sluggish pace in the morning due to technical glitches at some of the polling booths.

In view of the pandemic and fear of violence in areas affected by Maoist extremists, voting was far from brisk in the morning hours, the report said.

At 3 pm, the Election Commission had registered 46.29 percent voting in 16 districts with Jamui leading the turnout with 49.88 percent voting, followed by Lakhisarai with 49.84 percent voting.

Buxar clocked a 48.91 percent voting turnout, Aurangabad 48.69 percent and Gaya 48.14 percent.

Besides these constituencies, the voter turnout in Bhagalpur was 45.41 percent, Banka 47.44 percent, Munger 41.93 percent, Shekhpura 41.67 percent, Patna 45.77 percent, Bhojpur 43.08 percent, Rohtas 43.79 percent, Arwal 42.43 percent, Jahanabad 44.21 percent and Nawada 45.70 percent.

Reports of Violent Incidents

IANS said that violent incidents were reported in some parts of Bihar including in Kaimur district where two groups comprising more than 50 people attacked each other.

They were dispersed by paramilitary force personnel. The situation was later brought under control. Tekari is another place apart from Ara where an altercation between supporters of two alliances was reported.

Election for the first phase was held in 16 districts of Bihar including some districts that are perceived as Maoist-dominated.

The Election Commission has established 31,380 polling booths in these districts. Meanwhile, 1,066 candidates are contesting in this phase of the elections.

(With inputs from IANS.)