Nine per cent cast votes till 0900 hrs

PATNA: An estimated nine per cent voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling in 35 constituencies spread across eight districts in the fifth and penultimate phase of the assembly elections in Bihar.

No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in these constituencies so far, Director General of Police Neelmani said.

An estimated 9 per cent of the total 81.26 lakh voters exercised their franchise by 9 AM.

Initially, defects in EVMs at a couple of booths in the constituencies in Ara, Atri, Arwal, Nawada, Biharsharief, Harnaut, Belaganj and Shekhpur were reported but they were promptly attended to or replaced, official sources said.

Neelmani said central para-military forces and armed police personnel have been deployed at all polling stations in naxal-hit areas.

Polling at several booths are being webcast by BSNL.