Bihar polls: 52.53% turnout recorded across six Naxal-hit districts till 4 pm

Polling percentage of 52.53 per cent was recorded in 32 constituencies spread over six Naxal-hit districts of Bihar where a cane bomb was found near a polling booth in Aurangabad district.

While Gaya recorded a maximum turnout of 55.16 per cent, Aurangabad registered the lowest turnout of 48.39 per cent till 4 PM in the second phase of Bihar Assembly polls, an EC bulletin said.

A middle-aged voter and a CRPF personnel died of heart attack in polling booths in Rafiganj and Imamganj Assembly constituencies.

A cane bomb was found by the security personnel near polling station number 144 located in Balar village of Kasma police station area that falls in Rafiganj Assembly constituency of Aurangabad district, Kasma police station SHO Sujit Kumar.

Meanwhile, former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who is contesting from Imamganj constituency against JD(U) Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Choudhary, alleged that names of many scheduled caste voters have been removed from the voters' list.

Voting ended on 11 seats at 3 PM in most sensitive Naxal areas and at 12 seats at 4 PM. On rest 9 seats, it would have scheduled voting from 7 AM to 5 PM.

In the remaining four districts, Kaimur recorded 56.54 per cent turnout, Rohtas recorded 49.43 per cent, Arwal 53.21 per cent and Jehanabad 54.67 per cent.

Women and elderly citizens were seen standing in queues in large numbers outside polling booths in all the 32 seats. A 95-year-old woman was spotted being carried by her son on his back to a polling booth in Sasaram.

Burqua-clad women were seen standing outside booths in Gaya and Aurangabad reflecting enthusiasm among women voters in this round of polling.

Security forces are keeping a strict vigil to prevent any untoward incidents during electioneering.