Patna: Voting drew to a close on Tuesday across five constituencies in Bihar as part of the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. A robust turnout of 60% was recorded by 6pm in Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, and Khagaria, with Araria boasting the highest participation at 62.80%. Conversely, Jhanjharpur witnessed the lowest turnout at 55.50%.
Chief Electoral Officer HR Srinivas disclosed that the voter turnout this year matched closely with the figures from 2019, standing at 61.22%. Additionally, Srinivas revealed that approximately Rs 80 lakh cash had been seized between the second and third phases of voting.
However, amidst the democratic process, incidents of unrest marred certain polling stations. Chief Electoral Officer Srinivas reported altercations at booths 182 and 183 of the Beldaur assembly constituency in Khagaria, where tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) allegedly occurred, prompting the filing of a First Information Report (FIR).
As voting progressed, authorities ensured security measures were in place. ADG Jitendra Singh Gangwar highlighted the extensive security arrangements, with 150 checkpoints established along a 250-kilometer international border. Special provisions were made for riverine areas, utilizing tractors and boats for voter access. The Diara area saw the deployment of State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) and bomb disposal squads, while a significant police presence of 40,000 personnel and 19,000 home guards was maintained throughout the third phase.
The day was not without tragedy, as it witnessed the untimely demise of presiding officer Shailendra Kumar at booth number 154 in Supaul, with suspicions of a heart attack. Similarly, a Home Guard jawan stationed at the Pechaili polling station in the Jokihat assembly constituency of Araria also passed away.
Among the voters was 115-year-old Naseema Khatoon, who cast her ballot at the Madhopur Panchayat booth number 212 in Supaul, symbolizing the diverse participation in the electoral process. Meanwhile, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain exercised his franchise early in Supaul, expressing sentiments of support for Prime Minister Modi. In Khagaria, LJP (Ram Vilas) President Chirag Paswan also participated in the electoral exercise.
With 9,848 booths accommodating 98,60,377 voters, the third phase of voting concluded, marking a significant juncture in Bihar’s electoral journey.
