Polling is progressing smoothly for the second phase of assembly elections in Bihar amidst tight security. There is report of brisk polling in almost all the constituencies .After two hours of voting 15 to 20 percent electorates have exercised their franchise. AIR correspondent reports that Women and elderly people have come out in large numbers from their houses to cast their votes.In Sheohar district where there was naxal attack two days before people are fearlessly casting their votes. Voting is taking place in 45constituencies spread over six districts of Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Darbhanga and Samastipur. The polling will continue till 5 pm except five constituencies of Minapur, Paru, Sahebganj, Sheohar and Belsandwhere it will end at 3 pm.Out of over 10 thousand polling booths, 3,700 have been declared super sensitive. Over 98 lakh electorates will decide the fate of 623 candidates including 46 women in this phase. Bihar Director General of Police said that state's borders with Nepal have been sealed to prevent any infiltration of anti social elements. He said Jawans of Special Task Force are maintaining air surveillance from helicopters to ensure trouble free polls. Meanwhile, Chief Electoral officer Sudhir Kumar Rakesh said that the observers and Micro Observers have been deployed to ensure free and fair poll. The Election Commission has also made arrangements for to live webcast of the voting process from over three hundred booths directly to be monitored by the district election officers, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer at Patna and the Election Commission in New Delhi.
News On AIR | October 24, 2010 10:38 AM
Polling begins for 2nd phase of Bihar elections