Record 60 pc voters cast ballots in 5th phase of Bihar polls

An estimated 60 per cent of over 1.55 crore voters cast their ballots in 57 assembly seats that went to poll in the fifth and final phase in Bihar today, the highest in the current election.
The polling passed off peacefully barring an incident of police firing in which nobody was hurt.
Bihar's Chief Electoral Officer Ajay V Nayak said while today's 60 per cent voter turnout was the highest in the current elections, the overall polling percentage in five phases was recorded at 56.8 per cent, much more than 52.65 per cent registered in 2010 assembly polls when JD(U) and BJP had together won 206 seats out of a total of 243 as part of NDA.

Like in previous four phases, women voters outnumbered men. 63.60 per cent of the women electorate cast their votes, against 56.05 per cent men.
Nayak said Katihar district recorded the highest 67.27 per cent voting, while Saharsa registered the lowest at 50.78 per cent.
Madhubani recorded 55.87 per cent voting, Supual 58.60, Araria, Kisanganj 64.39, Purnea 62.95, Katihar 67.27, Madhepura 57.84, Saharsa 50.78 and Darbhanga 58.27.

Police fired in air to scare away a group of people trying to obstruct voting at booth number 65 of Jokihat constituency in Araria district. Polling was disrupted for some time but resumed later.

An estimated 57 per cent voters had exercised their franchise in the first phase, while 55.45 per cent voted in the second, 53.74 per cent in the third and 58.54 per cent in the fourth.
Counting of votes will take place on November 8.