Patna, April 19 (UNI) An estimated 48.23 percent of 76,01,629 electorate exercised their franchise amid tight security arrangements during the first phase of Lok Sabha election in four seats of Bihar, which passed off peacefully on Friday.
Chief Electoral Officer H R Srinivasan told media persons here that 48.23 percent electorate exercised their franchise amid tight security arrangements.
Polling passed off peacefully as no major incident was reported from any part of the four constituencies where polling was held, he added.
Four Lok Sabha seats where polling was held are -- Aurangabad, Gaya(reserved), Jamui (reserved) and Nawada. A total of 76,01,629 electorate including 39,63,223 male voters were to exercise their franchise at 7,903 polling stations , to decide the fate of 38 candidates. A total of 92,602 electorate were listed as first time voters.
As per reports received here, at booth number 240 in Lakshua school of Sikandra assembly segment of Jamui Lok Sabha seat, a policeman B N Rai misbehaved with journalist of a news channel while he was covering the polling process. District Magistrate of Jamui has directed SP to investigate the incident and action would be taken on the basis of its report.
A large number of voters had arrived at polling booths since morning and were seen waiting in long queues for their turns to exercise their franchise. Women were also seen in large numbers waiting in long queues, to cast their votes. When asked, most of them said that they were voting on the issue of development, employment and welfare schemes for them.
To ensure free and fair polling, 153 companies of para military forces were deployed in four constituencies in first phase of Lok Sabha election. Additional security arrangements were made for 10 booths in naxal affected areas in Aurangabad, 16 in Gaya, 28 in Jamui and 1 in Nawada Lok Sabha seat.
Polling had begun at 7 AM and it ended at 6 PM while polling ended at 4 PM at booths in naxal affected areas.
In all four seats, there is straight contest between NDA and INDIA bloc candidates. Former Bihar Chief Minister Jeetan Ram Manjhi of HAM, a constituent of NDA has locked horns with Kumar Sarvajeet of RJD, a constituent of INDIA bloc in Gaya Lok Sabha seat. Rajesh Kumar, father of Sarvajeet had defeated Manjhi in 1991 Lok Sabha elections. Sushma Kumari of BSP is also in the fray from this seat.
In Aurangabad Lok Sabha seat, BJP candidate Sushil Kumar Singh is sitting MP who has been winning from this seat since 2009 Lok Sabha elections. RJD has fielded Abhay Kushwaha.
In Nawada Lok Sabha seat, BJP has fielded Vivek Thakur, son of former Union Minister Dr C P Thakur. RJD has fielded Shrawan Kushwaha as its candidate.
Both Thakur and Kushwaha are contesting the Lok Sabha elections for the first time. Independent candidates Vinod Yadav and a popular Bhojpuri singer Gunjan Singh are also in the fray. Nawada seat was represented by Chandan Singh of LJP in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
In Jamui seat, Chirag Paswan has fielded his brother-in-law Arun Bharti as candidate of LJP(RV), a constituent of NDA. Chirag himself had emerged victorious from this seat in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. RJD has fielded Archana Das as its candidate. She is wife of a local RJD leader Mukesh Yadav.
During 2019 Lok Sabha election, NDA had bagged all the four seats while Grand Alliance failed to open its account. Chandan Singh of LJP from Nawada, Chirag Paswan of LJP from Jamui, Sushil Kumar Singh of BJP from Aurangabad and Vijay Kumar of JD(U) from Gaya had emerged victorious.
UNI KKS CS1852