1st phase of Bihar Assembly poll begins

The high-stake Bihar Assembly election began today with voting starting at 7 AM in 49 seats, spread over 10 districts, in the first of the five phases of elections amid elaborate security arrangements. A total number of 1,35,72,339 electorate will cast their votes in the 49 Assembly seats for which 583 candidates, including 54 women, are in the fray. The polling will be held between 7 AM and 3 PM in nine constituencies - Tarapur, Jamalpur, Suryagraha, Rajauli (SC), Govindpur, Sikandara (SC), Jamui, Jhajha and Chakai. The duration of polling on four constituencies - Alauli (SC), Beldaur, Katoria (ST), Belhar - will end at 4 PM. The polling for the remaining 36 constituencies will be held between 7 AM to 5 PM. PTI