First phase of Bihar assembly polls begins

Voting for the first phase of assembly elections in Bihar to decide the fates of candidates in 49 constituencies started on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, a CRPF commandant, identified as PK Mishra, and his body guard Mantu Kumar were injured in a road mishap in Bihar’s Munger district during patrolling of elections.

Forty-nine constituencies spread over 10 districts will go to polls on Monday. While out of of 583 contestants, there are 54 women nominees.

The duration of polling hours in 13 Assembly seats have been shortened on the basis of assessment of law and order situation with all these constituencies falling in Naxal-hit areas, Additional Chief Electoral Officer (ACEO) R Laxmanan said. 87,600 paramilitary forces have been deployed fearing maoist attacks at polling booths. Commandos will carry out air surveillance by two helicopters. The BJP has fielded 27 candidates – the rest of the seats will be contested by its allies, including 13 seats for Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party.

The next four phases of polling will be held on October 16, October 28, November 1 and November 5.

All the parties have campaigned seriously in the wake of Bihar elections leaving no stone unturned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kumar have led several rallies in the run-up to the polling of the first phase. PM Modi has talked about development and welfare of poor and the people of Bihar are wise enough to take the right decision.