Record 94 per cent polling in Bihar council poll

PATNA: A record 94 per cent polling was recorded in today's election to 24 legislative council seats in Bihar, which has been billed as a semifinal ahead of the crucial assembly polls scheduled later this year.

The Election Commission said the figures were preliminary as the final polling figure from various districts would reach it in a couple of days.

Additional Chief Electoral Officer(ACEO) R Lakshmanan said "Voters participation was very good in the polls today and 94 per cent of the 1.39 lakh voters exercised their franchise. The percentage may increase after final figures come from the districts."

He said around 15 cases of violation of model code of conduct were registered against various candidates, including Education Minister P K Shahi and Road Construction Minister Lalan Singh.

FIRs were registered against Shahi and Singh for violation of the model code of conduct like use of official vehicle and red beacon light while voting, he said.

The two ministers later on surrendered themselves at Gandhi Maidan police station and took bail from there.

Lakshmanan also said around Rs 3 lakh in cash was seized by EC flying squads from various places like Begusarai and Khagaria.

Polling was held in 534 booths and Nalanda reported the maximum turnout of 98.71 per cent, followed by 98.42 per cent in Saran and 98.28 per cent in Bhojpur-cum-Buxar. Aurangabad and Siwan districts reported 98.05 per cent each.

Patna recorded 92.8 per polling, while the least figure of 80 per cent was recorded in Darbhanga. Saharsa-Madhepura-Supaul constituency was the only other which saw a polling less than 90 per cent.

Alliances of RJD, JD(U), Congress and NCP and the BJP-led NDA fielded candidates in all the 24 seats.

RJD and JD(U) contested 10 seats each followed by three by Congress and NCP in a lone seat. In the NDA BJP put up candidates in 18 seats while Lok Janshakti Party fought in four and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party on two seats.