Bihar assembly election 2015: 57 % voters turnout in first phase

New Delhi: An average of 57 percent voters from an aggregate of 1.35 crore in the first phase of the assembly election , strong electorate came out to exercise their vote. Compared to the 2010 elections, this marked a rise of more than 6 percent . According to report, percentage of women voters at 59.50% was higher than that of men at 54.50%. The polling was peaceful by and large except for a few stray incidents. In Chakai of Jamui district, LJP”s candidate Vijay Singh, was fired at but he escaped unhurt. In another incident, 15 people were injured when the NDA and grand alliance workers clashed near a polling booth in Jamui. PM Narendra Modi who also campaigned in the state for the forthcoming phases had requested to the young voters to exercise their vote. On the political front in an apparent setback to the ruling JD (U), a minister Awadesh Kumar Kushwaha and RJD candidate Mudrika Yadav – were caught on camera due to accepting bribes hours before the first phase of polls. Kushwaha was then dismissed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The first phase covered the constituencies in ten districts – Samastipur, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Jamui, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Khagaria, Banka, Lakhisarai and Munger. Among the major figures whose fate has been sealed in the EVMs are Nitish Kumar’s second-in-command and minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, former Speaker Sadanand Singh, LJP chief Paswan’s brother Pashupati Kumar Paras, and Arjit Shashwat the son of BJP”s Ashwini Choubey. The last phase of polling will take place on November 5th and the counting would be taken up on the 8th.