Patna: Nearly 58.58% of over 93 lakh voters exercised their franchise in five constituencies of Bihar, which went to poll in Phase 2 on Friday. It is less than the 4% less than last Lok Sabha election's turnout.
Banka, Bhagalpur, Kishanganj, Katihar, and Purnea constituencies went to the polls. While Katihar recorded a voter turnout of 64.60%, Kishanganj followed closely and recorded 64% polling. Purnea recorded 59.94%, Banka 54% and Bhagalpur 51%.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, overall voter turnout was 62.92%. Earlier, the Election Commission extended the voting timing by an hour to 6 pm due to blistering heat.
Statement Given By The Chief Electoral Officer
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Chief Electoral Officer, HR Srinivasa, said votes were cast at 102 booths under Katoria assembly seat and at 146 stations under Belhar assembly constituency in Banka from 7 am to 4 pm as these fall under the Naxal-infested region. In other places, voting took place from 7 am to 6 pm.
In the first phase, the voter turnout was only 48.5%, the lowest in the country. In Phase 2, in a triangular contest, Independent candidate, Rajesh Ranjan aka Pappu Yadav, is pitted against RJD candidate Bima Bharti and JDU nominee Santosh Kushwaha in Purnea.
