The first phase of the Bihar assembly elections today ended peacefully, with more than 54 per cent of the 10.7 million voters exercising their franchise on 47 of the 243 seats. The state braces for a month-long six-phase elections.
Chief Electoral Officer Sudheer Kumar said, “The polling process ended smoothly. Almost 54-55 per cent of the electorates used their franchise in this phase. By and large, it has been peaceful.”
DGP Neelmani said 135 persons were arrested for electoral malpractices and trying to disturb polling. He said voting was peaceful. “It is a remarkable achievement for Bihar. During the last assembly polls in 2005, two persons had lost their lives in election-related violence.”
However, Socialist Janata Party candidate Alimuddin Ansari was arrested by the police in Purnia. “SJP’s Alimuddin Ansari has been arrested for creating disturbance at a booth at Bayasi in Purnia district. In another incident, JD (U) candidate from Chatapur (Supaul district), Neeraj Kumar Bablu, was arrested for manhandling and obstructing the presiding officer,” said Kumar.
Known faces contesting the first phase are senior JD(U) ministers Vijendra Prasad Yadav, Narendra Narain Yadav, Renu Kumari and Hari Prasad Sah. Congress’ Ranjeet Ranjan, wife of former MP Pappu Yadav and state Congress chief Choudhary Mehboob Ali Kaiser and Lovely Anand.