60 percent voting in 2nd phase of panchayat polls in Bihar

Patna: About 60 per cent voting was recorded in the second phase of panchayat elections in Bihar on Thursday amid reports of irregularities and clashes at some places.

State Election Officer A K Chouhan said except for some skirmishes at some places voting was held peacefully.

The second phase of panchayat polls was held to fill up 27,514 posts in the three-tier local bodies. It included 891 posts of mukhiya and as many gram sarpanch.

Accompanied by State Election Commission Secretary Durgesh Nandan, Chouhan said in the last election in 2011 the voting percentage in panchayat elections for these posts was 58.8 per cent.

He said reports of looting of ballot boxes by anti-socials came from two booths in Pakridayal block of East Champaran district. Reports of other irregularities have also been received from booths of Surajgarha in Lakhisarai and Murliganj in Madhepura districts.

Around 60 per cent of 59.85 lakh electorate exercised their franchise at 12,719 polling stations spread over 60 blocks in 38 districts.

The first round of polling was held on April 24 in which one person was killed.

Panchayat polls in Bihar are scheduled to be held in 10 phases which would conclude on May 30.