10-phase panchayat elections begin in Bihar

The 10-phase panchayat elections began in Bihar on Sunday to elect a three-tier rural administrative structure, officials said.

Over 61 lakh people are registered to pick 124 district panchayat and 1,246 block panchayat members, 906 village panchayat presidents and 12,371 village panchayat members.

The panchayat system has elected representatives at the district, block and village levels.

The balloting was on in 60 blocks spead over 38 districts, an official of the state Election Commission said. There are in all 12,568 polling stations and 3,607 patrolling magistrates.

Out of the 7.38 lakh nominations, 3.85 lakh nominations have been filed by women against 50 percent reserved posts.

There were reports of minor clashes between rival groups in Madhubani, Aurangabad, Gaya, Patna, West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Khagaria districts.

The staggered elections will conclude on May 30.

--IANS

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