52.55 percent votes cast in Bihar polls second phase

NEW DELHI - The Election Commission here Sunday said 52.55 percent votes were cast in the second phase of the Bihar assembly elections. Barring some stray incidents, the polling was largely peaceful.

The overall percentage of polling is likely to go up when the final tally comes, Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Joztshi told mediapersons.

Elections were held for 45 constituencies spread over six districts of East Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Samastipur.

East Chapbaran witnessed 58 percent, Sheohar 49 percent, Sitamarhi 51 percent, Darbhanga 48.80 percent, Muzaffarpur 53.35 percent and Samastipur 54.30 percent voting.

At the polling station No. 116 in Sitamarhi district, three election officials were missing after reaching there Saturday night and the election materials were found destroyed.

The incident came to light when the fourth election official reached the polling station Sunday. However, alternate polling arrangements were done and elections began at 8.45 a.m.

Joztshi refrained from saying anything about the disappearance of the polling officials. He said superintendent of police of Sitamarhi was camping in the area.

Polls were monitored by 2,230 general observers and 74 expenditure observers. Two helicopters were pressed into service both for air surveillance and poll-related activities.

A total of 1,087 digital cameras and 196 video cameras were used to keep an eye on the polling activities.

An incident of firing took place at a polling station where one voter, infuriated over being disallowed to vote, tried to snatch the gun of the security personal. To control the situation, the other security personal fired in the air.

The person who tried to snatch the gun fled, but his father has been detained.