57% cast ballot; boycott in few areas

PATNA: The five Bihar Lok Sabha constituencies that went to the polls on Friday recorded an overall voter turnout of 57.11%, amid a boycott a section of voters in some regions over alleged lack of development in their areas, officials said. Voting was held in Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur and Banka seats.

The voter turnout was 62.92% in these constituencies during the 2019 elections, said chief electoral officer HR Srinivasa.

According to data provided by the Election Commission’s Voter Turnout at 11pm, Kishanganj saw a turnout of 58.36% and Katihar 60.83%. While a turnout of 61.39% and 51.44% was recorded in Purnia and Bhagalpur, respectively, Banka saw a turnout of 53.90%.

Fifty candidates are in the fray in these five seats, and over 9.3 million people are eligible to decide their fate, polling officials said. More than 150 companies of paramilitary forces assisted the state police in ensuring free and fair elections in this phase, they added.

Srinivasa said voters in Kishanganj, Bhagalpur and Banka boycotted the elections over alleged lack of development in these areas.

“Voters across eight polling booths at Amour assembly segment of Kishanganj parliamentary constituency, two at Gopalpur assembly constituency in Bhagalpur and booth number 192 of Sultanganj assembly segment under Banka parliamentary constituency boycotted the polls over various development-related issues,” he said.

“Senior district officials tried to convince the voters but in vain,” he added, ruling out any possibilities of repolling in these booths.