Around 54 percent voting was recorded during third phase of Bihar Assembly elections on Thursday. Chief Electoral Officer Sudhir Kumar Rakesh told AIR that maximum 58 percentage voting was recorded in west Champaran district of the state. AIR correspondent Krishna Kumar Lal reports, polling passed off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported during the poll. Voting was held in 48 constituencies spread over six districts of East Champaran, West Champaran, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj and Vaishali, some of which are Naxal affected. Political fortune of 785 candidates including 65 women has been sealed in EVMs. One hundred forty five people were taken into custody as a preventive measure.Briefing reporters in New Delhi on Thursday evening, Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi said that the voting was peaceful with no untoward incident reported from any where. He said the vote percentage is increasing due to awareness programme launched by the Election Commission. Mr. Zutshi said 221 persons have been arrested and 91 vehicles were seized during the election process. The Deputy Election Commissioner said that polling was boycotted at three polling booths as the voters registered their protest against development. He said 112 EVMs were replaced immediately when complaints about their improper function were received.Meanwhile political parties have intensified their campaigning in those areas where polling will be held in remaining three phases. Congress president Sonia Gandhi today addressed election rallies at Bhagalpur and Begusarai in favour of congress candidates. Targeting NDA government in the state she said centre was giving enough financial assistance to Bihar for various welfare and development schemes but their benefits were not percolating below as the state government had failed to utilise the funds properly. She also underlined programmes initiated by the UPA government.The Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati addressed public meetings at Arwal and Buxar districts. She alleged rule of opposition parties was responsible for the backwardness of the state. She said her party was committed for the progress of the state on the lines of Uttar Pradesh if comes to power. Samajwadi Party President Mulayam Singh Yadav addressed public meetings at Begusarai, Munger and Lakhisarai in favour of his party candidates. JDU leader and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and several BJP leaders also have hectic schedule for canvassing. Lalu Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan have also addressed several meetings at many places including Khagaria for RJD -LJP alliance candidates.