Second phase of Bihar panchayat polls begins

Patna: The second of a ten-phase panchayat elections in Bihar began on Thursday to elect 27,514 posts of the three-tier rural administrative structure, officials said.

"Polls began on a peaceful note amid tight security. There were no reports of violence during initial hour," an official said.

In the first phase of polls, one person was killed and over a dozen injured in group clashes in the state.

Around 59.85 lakh people are eligible to vote in this phase in 60 blocks spread in 38 districts.

There are 12,719 polling stations and state election commission has deployed 3,742 patrolling magistrates.

The panchayat system elects representatives at the district, block and village levels.

Of the 7.38 lakh nominations, 3.85 lakh have been filed by women against the 50 percent reserved posts.

The staggered elections will conclude on May 30.