Around 53 per cent voters today exercised their right to franchise in the second phase of Assembly elections in Bihar. Votes were cast in 45 assembly constituencies in this phase. Briefing reporters, the Deputy Election Commissioner Mr. Vinod Zutshi said in New Delhi that 52.5 per cent voters cast their votes till 5 PM and many more were in lines to exercise their franchise. This he said is bound to increase the voting percentage.Mr. Zutshi said that the voting was by and large peaceful except some stray incidents. He, however, added that three polling officials of a polling booth in Sitamarhi are missing and investigation is on to trace them. Mr. Zutshi asserted that the voters exercised their right without any fear as 132 preventive arrests were made. He added that people boycotted polling in four places in three districts of Dharbangha, Sitamarhi and Samastipur to register their protest for the reported neglect in development process. Today's voting is to decide the fate of 623 candidates including 46 women.Chief Electoral Officer Sudhir Kumar Rakesh told AIR News that the maximum polling of 58 per cent was reported from East Champaran. AIR correspondent Krishna Kumar Lal reports that the voting was conducted amidst tight security.