47% exercise franchise in Bihar till 1600 hours

An estimated 47 per cent of 1.07 crore eligible electorate exercised their franchise till 1600 hours today in 47 of the 243 Assembly constituencies that went to poll in the first phase of Bihar elections.

The voting was "absolutely peaceful" Director-General of Police Neelmani said.

He said about 300 people were arrested from different places for electoral malpractices and for trying to disturb the polling.

Several vehicles, including motorcycles, were seized by the police, he added.