Bihar sees 53.32 percent turnout during third phase

The third phase of polling in Bihar on Wednesday saw an average 53.32 percent turnout compared with 50.08 percent in the last assembly elections.

"52.50 percent polling recorded in Saran District, 54.82 percent was recorded in Vaishali, 54.11 percent in Nalanda, 51.82 percent in Patna, 53.30 percent in Bhojpur, 56.58 percent in Buxar, over all the average turnout is 53.32 percent," Deputy Election Commissioner in-charge of Bihar, Umesh Sinha told a press conference here.

"In last assembly election, it was 50.08 percent, and in the last Lok Sabha election, it was 50.27 percent. 52.50 percent were male voters and 54 percent were female voters," Sinha added.

A total of 808 candidates are in fray for 50 assembly seats spread across six districts of Bhojpur, Buxar, Nalanda, Patna, Saran and Vaishali.

Sinha also said that over 9000 non-bailable warrants were executed in the third phase.

Authorities had deployed 1,107 companies of para-military forces and the state to ensure peaceful voting.

The voting for the first two phases were held on October 12 and October 16, during which 81 assembly constituencies went to polls. The fourth and fifth phase of polling is due on November 1 and November 5 respectively.

The counting of votes and declaration of results for 243-seat Bihar Assembly will be held on November 8.