Patna, October 18
There was a sharp decline in violence in Bihar with two deaths and a few poll-related skirmishes amidst tight security by the Election Commission in the first phase of polling in 57 constituencies spread over 12 Naxal-infested districts in the state today.
The success of the Election Commission to check violence to a great
extent, however, failed to motivate the voters to come out in large numbers as the state recorded a comparative low polling with nearly 40 to 45 per cent of 12.5 million voters casting votes today.
The State Chief Electoral Officer, Mr N.K. Sinha, said that the exact percentage of polling could be ascertained only after reports reached from all places by late evening today.
Two deaths were reported from Nawada and Jehanabad and skirmishes were reported from some other districts.
The victim at Nawada was identified as Mussafir Paswan, a CPI-ML activist who was killed by some unidentified gunmen where he was heading toward the polling booth.
The second death was reported from Jehanabad. The police described this as a result of group
clash, not directly linked to the polls.
The administration, under the guidance of the adviser to the Election Commission, Mr K.J. Rao, not only succeeded to restrict the movements of “bahubalis” (dons), but also arrested RJD candidate and former minister Suresh Paswan from Deo Assembly seat in Aurangabad today, along with 10 supporters, for carrying firearms and on charges of intimidating the voters.
Another RJD candidate Sanjay Prabhat from Govindpur in Nawada was arrested for destroying electronic voting machines.
Talking to mediapersons Mr K.J. Rao said that the commission has already cancelled the polling in two constituencies at Nawada following complaints of electoral
malpractices, the district which witnessed the maximum violence.
Mr Rao said that he was awaiting a detailed report from other districts before taking a final decision to order repolling in some more booths if necessary.
The DGP, Mr Ashish Ranjan Sinha, said that the paramilitary forces covered about 80 per cent of the 13,338 polling booths today, and assured 95 per cent coverage by Central forces in second and third phase slated for October 26 and November 13, and 100 per cent coverage in fourth phase on November 19.
There were also reports of arrests of some Congress workers at Chakai at Jamui and clash between JD(U) and RJD
activists in Jehanabad today.The RJD supremo, Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav, expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of polls.
The NDA chief Ministerial candidate and JD(U) leader, Mr Nitish Kumar, was also happy with the polling. Mr Kumar, however, complained about the absence of paramilitary forces in some booths in a few districts and urged the Election Commission to look into it.
The LJP supremo, Mr Ramvilas Paswan, claimed a “positive wave” in favour of his party going by the trend of first phase of polling.
There were altogether 541 candidates in the first phase.
Surprisingly, there was a better turnout of voters in Naxal-infested districts of
Jehanabad, Jamui and Bhojpur defying the boycott call by CPI(maoist).
The IAF choppers maintained air survellience in Naxal-dominated areas.
Polling was deferred till October 21 in four polling booths of Gaya district. Rescheduling of polls in four booths of Imamganj constituency under Gaya district was ordered since polling could not begin in these booths for failure of polling parties to turn up.
Independent candidate from Dehri Assembly constituency Pradeep Kumar Joshi escaped unhurt in an attack by supporters of a political party. The supporters of rival candidate opened fire at Mr Joshi when he was taking stock of the situation in booth no 154 following reports of booth capturing.
