5-8 per cent voter turnout in Bihar

An estimated five to eight per cent voters cast their ballots till 0930 IST in the first phase of the assembly polls in Bihar, state election office sources said.

Polling is taking place in 64 constituencies.

Defects in electronic voting machines at two polling stations in Bhagalpur led to protests by locals who shouted slogans against the poll personnel, the sources said.

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A large number of voters were seen queuing up before booths in Ara, Jehanabad, Buxar, Gaya and Sasaram towns.

Anti-socials fired at a booth in Ghosi assembly constituency to intimidate the voters, the sources said.

An official report from Gaya said former Janata Dal (United) member of Parliament Arun Kumar was taken into custody for indulging in electoral malpractices.

The husband of Mamata Kumari, an independent candidate in Bodh Gaya, was also detained while he was moving in a vehicle with supporters, the report said.

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Another report from Bhagalpur said voters had decided to boycott the poll in at least five booths in Nathnagar constituency alleging major discrepancies in the distribution of photo identity cards.