62.14% voter turnout in 7th phase of panchayat elections

PATNA: Barring a few incidents of clashes, the 7th phase of the 11-phased panchayat elections passed off peacefully with 62.14% voter turnout recorded on Monday.

According to the state election commission (SEC), Purnia recorded the highest 73% voter turnout, followed by Gaya (72.50%) and Bhagalpur (72%). Kaimur, Rohtas, Begusarai and Jamui recorded 70% each while Saran had the the lowest 50.68% voter turnout.

The state police headquarters sources said altogether 286 people were detained for attempting to vitiate the poll process. Besides, 35 vehicles were seized. Two live bombs, one illegal weapon and one live cartridge were also recovered.

Reports said a clash broke out between the supporters of rival candidates outside polling booth numbers 101 and 107 at village Tiswara under Morba block in Samastipur district. The police arrested the husband of a contestant, Chandu Devi, under Nagra panchayat in Saran district for allegedly providing liquor and cash to the voters to garner support for his wife, who is contesting for the post of sarpanch.

Vaishali DM Udita Singh and SP Maneesh rushed to Bhagwanpur following reports of skirmishes at polling booth number 122.

Another report from Saran said at least six people were injured in a clash between supporters of two contestants at polling booths under Kishunpur panchayat of Jalalpur block. Two of the seriously injured, Manoj Singh and Arun Singh, were admitted to the local primary health centre for treatment. Saran SP Santosh Kumar rushed to the spot and deployed additional forces to ensure peaceful voting.

A candidate was arrested at Tengarahan village under Minapur block in Muzaffarpur district on the complaint of another candidate that he was trying to influence the voters.

The SEC sources said altogether 3,389 contestants were elected unopposed in the 7th phase. The voting was held at 12,822 polling booth for 27,730 posts and 1,08,061 candidates were in the fray. Around 72.85 lakh voters exercised their franchise. Of them, 34.50 lakh were female voters.

In Bhojpur, 64.19% women cast their votes in Agiyaon where 63.68% of the voters turned up. In Sandesh block, too, women voters surpassed the males.

In East Champaran, polling was held at 586 booths of 42 panchayats under Chhoradano, Mehsi and Sangrampur blocks. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere, said DM Shirshat Kapil Ashok. He said special security arrangement had been made in 15 panchayats under Chhoradano block on the Indo-Nepal border.

In Sitamarhi, election was held in Sursand, Parsauni and Bairgania blocks. Sitamarhi DM Sunil Kumar Yadav and SP Har Kishore Rai visited several booths. Women voters participated with more zeal than their male counterparts.

In West Champaran, polling was held peacefully in Sikta and Mainatard. Long queues were seen at polling booths. Women voters outnumbered their male counterparts.

(With inputs from Praveen, C B Pandey, S K Singh and Tirthraj Kushwaha)