PATNA, Oct 12 - An estimated 57 per cent of the electorate cast their votes in the first phase of Bihar Assembly election in 49 constituencies which was violence-free today.
Women voters outnumbered men and the turnout today is more than what it was in the last State poll in 2010 (all phases taken together.)
Overall, the voting percentage in the 2010 polling in Bihar was 50.85. The 49 seats, which went to polls today, represents nearly 20 per cent of the overall 243 seats in the State, Chief Electoral Officer Ajay Nayak told reporters.
More voting was witnessed in all 10 districts in which the 49 seats were spread over, he said, adding women voter turnout was more than the male in today�s balloting.
While it was 59.5 per cent turnout for women today, the male turnout was 54.5 per cent, Nayak, accompanied by Additional Chief Electoral Officer R Lakhmanan, said. Both of them said that the voting took place in a peaceful environment.
Though some complaints were received, including an attack on LJP candidate Vijay Singh at Jamui, but prima facie the complaints were not found true, Nayak said.
Giving details of voting in the districts, Nayak said Khagaria, which has seven Assembly constituencies, recorded the highest 61 per cent voting. Nawada having five seats saw relatively lowest voting percentage at 53, he said.
About the other districts, he said Samastipur recorded 60 per cent voting, Begusarai 59 per cent, Bhagalpur 56 per cent, Banka 58 per cent, Munger 55 per cent, Lakhisarai 54 per cent, Sheikhpura 55 per cent and Jamui 57 per cent, all registering more voting than it was in the last Assembly polls.
Senior Bihar Minister Vijay Chaudhary (Sarai Ranjan), veteran Congress leader Sadanand Singh (Kahalgaon) and Pashupati Kumar Paras (Alauli, SC seat) are among prominent candidates whose fates were sealed in EVMs today.
BJP has fielded 27 candidates followed by JD(U) 24, RJD 17, LJP 13, Congress 8 and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party 6 and Hindusthani Awam Morcha 3.
The Left Front is trying to make significant inroads in the polls on the basis of combined strength of six parties - CPI, CPI-M, CPI-ML, Forward Block, SUCI (C) and RSP. � PTI
