60% turnout in final phase of Bihar election

Close to 60% of the voters cast their votes in the fifth and final phase of the Bihar Assembly elections on Thursday. 

Four voters were injured at a polling booth in Jokihat Assembly constituency in Araria, as security forces baton-charged villagers after a scuffle between

voters and security personnel. Eight more voters were injured when central paramilitary forces resorted to baton charge at polling booths in Araria and Katihar districts. Security personnel had to use force at a polling booth in Katihar district to disperse anti-social elements trying to indulge in bogus voting, leaving four people injured, officials said.

The 57 constituencies that went to polls today include 24 in the Seemanchal region bordering West Bengal and are spread over Araria, Darbhanga, Katihar, Kishanganj, Madhepura, Madhubani, Purnia, Saharsa and Supaul.

A total of 1,55,43,594 electors were eligible to vote to decide the fate of 827 candidates, including 58 women. Polling started at 7am in all constituencies and finished at 5pm except the two Maoist-hit seats in Saharsa district – Simri Bhakhtiyarpur and Mahisi – where poll time was cut short by two hours.