First phase of Bihar polls ends peacefully

Patna/New Delhi: Fifty-four percent polling was recorded Thursday in the first phase of Bihar's staggered assembly elections that passed off peacefully barring 'minor clashes', officials said.

The elections were held in 47 constituencies spread across eight districts. Around 10 million people were eligible to exercise their franchise in the first round held in the Kosi-Seemanchal and Mithilanchal belts.

The Election Commission said the total percentage may increase. 'By and large the elections were held peacefully. It was an incident-free elections,' Vinod Zutshi, deputy election commissioner told reporters in New Delhi. The balloting began at 7 a.m. and was conducted peacefully. The voting, to pick a new 243-seat legislature ends next month, ended 5 p.m. The results will be out on Nov 24.

Image: Voters display their identity cards as they wait for their turn to cast their ballots during the first phase of Bihar Assembly Election in Kishanganj on Oct 21, 2010