By IANS,
Patna : Over 20 percent of electors voted in Bihar in the first six hours of polling for the second and final phase of by-elections in 11 assembly constituencies that began Tuesday morning, official sources said.
Polling was slow in the early hours but picked up pace later in the day. Voter turnout will, however, be low, an official from the state election office said.
“An estimated 22 to 25 percent votes were polled till 1:30 p.m. and small queues were seen at different polling centres in all the 11 constituencies,” official sources said.
Some reports said residents in dozens of villages boycotted the elections in at least six constituencies, protesting lack of development.
According to officials, small queues of voters were seen at some polling stations in most constituencies after the 7 a.m. opening time. Officials here said the polls began on a peaceful note and that there was no report of violence.
Neelmani, additional director general of police, said that elaborate security arrangements had been made and paramilitary forces were deployed as some pockets in rural constituencies were identified as Maoist-affected.
A total of 2,515,474 voters in the 11 constituencies of the state are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 99 candidates including nine women.
The 11 constituencies where by-polls are underway are Bodh Gaya, Bagaha, Nautan, Phulwari, Ghosi, Munger, Begusarai, Triveniganj, Simri Bakhtiarpur, Araria and Dhoraiya.