NEW DELHI: An estimated 43 per cent of the 1.23-crore electorate exercised their franchise on Tuesday in the first phase of polling for the 57 Assembly seats in Bihar. A total of 541 candidates, including 37 women, are in the fray.

Briefing reporters, Deputy Election Commissioner Anand Kumar said the polling in the 12 districts was peaceful with only one person being killed by security forces. He said 96 persons, including three Rashtriya Janata Dal candidates, were arrested for trying to damage the electronic voting machines (EVMs) or attempting booth capturing.

He said the Bihar Military Police opened fire at Chorram polling booth in Aurangabad district to prevent looting of the polling station; one person was killed. In the Govindpur Assembly constituency, RJD candidate Sanjay Prabhat was arrested for damaging EVMs, while in Dev constituency, RJD candidate Suresh Paswan was arrested along with seven others for carrying a rifle and ammunition. In Jamui, RJD candidate Vijay Prakash Yadav was arrested for moving with people with arms. Mr. Kumar said detailed reports were being sought and action would be taken against them.

Magistrate suspended

A patrolling magistrate was suspended for trying to influence the polling in Shahpur Assembly Constituency in Bhojpur district. Damage to EVMs was reported from Nawada and Jamui districts. Police opened fire but there was no loss of life. Inter-party clashes were reported from Jamui and Gaya districts. In Jamui, three persons were arrested. In Gaya, Election Commission parties were not sent to four polling stations as it was apprehended that "our parties would be attacked by the naxals." In Jamui, poll parties failed to reach two polling stations. Polls would be held there later.

The poll was boycotted at eight polling stations in five Assembly constituencies. A repoll would be ordered wherever necessary after analysing the reports of returning officers and Election Commission observers, he said.

Regarding the action to be taken against two police officials who were transferred on Monday for meeting RJD leader Lalu Prasad, Mr. Kumar said reports had been sought and action would be taken on the basis of the reports.

Asked whether running of special festival trains for Bihar's Chhath festival by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad would violate the model code of conduct, he said that a reference was made to the Commission by the Railway Ministry. The Commission had permitted special festival trains as was done last year.

He said 17,483 EVMs were used for 13,769 polling stations. Digital cameras were used at certain polling booths depending on their sensitivity. A large number of security forces were deployed to ensure free and fair polls.

Proper deployment

Our Special Correspondent reports from Patna:

Chief Secretary G.S. Kang said repolling would not be needed at more than 20 booths. The election was peaceful and well managed owing to proper deployment of forces. Voting would take place on October 21 for the constituencies at which elections could not be held on Tuesday, along with the four constituencies where polls had been deferred.

The police arrested about 125 people in course of the day to maintain law and order and ensure peaceful polling. Officials said there were only four untoward incidents this time as against the 184 reported in February last that claimed 24 lives.

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