Bihar polls: 2nd phase ends defying Naxal boycott

Patna: Defying call for a poll boycott by Maoists, around 52 per cent of the 98.44 lakh electorate cast their votes in 45 Assembly constituencies in Bihar in the second phase of elections which was marred by stray incidents of violence.

The second phase of voting in crucial Naxal-affected districts of Bihar came to an end on Sunday. Minor incidents of violence though have caused some disturbance as three polling officials have been reported to be missing from a booth in the Sitamarhi district in Bihar.

The overall voter turnout was 52 per cent. East Champaran saw the highest voter turnout at 58 per cent.

Stray incidents of violence occurred in Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga districts. The Naxals who had called for a boycott of the polls set fire to an electronic voting machine and other poll material including voter identity cards. Heavily-armed Naxals raided a polling centre at Subaigarh in Runisaidpur constituency and burnt down the Electronic Voting Machines

(EVMs) besides other materials early this morning before voting began, SP Rakesh Rathi said.

Three polling officials Baldeo Prasad Yadav, K N Singh and Satyendra Patel went missing after the incident, Returning Officer for the seat Shivdani Singh said. Singh, however, has ruled out kidnapping.

In six districts including Sheohar, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur and parts of East Champaran voting was held between 7 am and 3 pm due to security concerns after the landmine blast in Sheohar district by suspected Maoists in which six policemen were killed on Friday. The blast prompted the EC to reduce voting time in Sheohar and Belsand constituencies by two hours. Tight security was observed in areas where voting took place on Sunday.

The apprehension of Naxal violence in Bihar has been proved wrong and it has been seen as a victory of people, democracy and administration. There was apprehension among the administrative officials on their part that the Naxals would strike again after Friday’s landmine blast. However, such fears were put to rest thanks to tight security arrangements. Adequate security that also included air surveillance at all major polling booths specially in Naxal infested areas, ensured a strong voter turnout at 52 per cent.

(With inputs from PTI)