Patna: Around 64 per cent voter turnout was recorded in sixth phase of panchayat polls in Bihar today amid stray incidents of minor clashes and death of a polling officer due to ill-health.
“The Commission has received reports of 63.77 per cent of voter turnout till 5 PM in the sixth phase of panchayat polls that passed off peacefully barring some stray incidents,” State Election Commissioner (SEC) A K Chauhan told reporters here.
“The polling percentage is likely to increase once the final reports from all the districts reach us,” Chauhan said.
He said the polling percentage was 62.37 in the sixth phase in the 2011 panchayat polls.
The Commission has directed the officials concerned to keep away Parbatta Block Development Officer (BDO) in Khagaria district from poll process till the panchayat elections are over, Chauhan said.
Polling in sixth phase was held in 58 blocks of 37 districts at 13,253 polling stations.
Nandan Singh, a polling officer of booth no. 119 at Sugauli in East Champaran district, died of ill health.
Chauhan said Singh complained of stomach ache and started vomiting, after which he was taken to the local primary health centre. He died during treatment there.
So far, there are reports of minor incidents of clashes between rival candidates from Bhojpur, Chauhan said.
A total of 484 people were arrested while 35 vehicles, Rs 70,361 in cash, and 11.25 litres of liquor were seized during the sixth phase of Panf f Panpolling.
Besides, the Commissioner said, one rifle, 2 country-made pistols, 18 cartridges and two mobile phones have also been seized.
In the 6th phase, voters exercised their franchise to elect 125 members of Zila Parishad, 1,227 members of panchayat samities, Mukhiya and Sarpanch in 903 gram panchayats, 12,242 members of Gram Panchayat and 12,242 members of Gram Kutchery.
The 10-phase three-tier panchayat polls are being held to elect a total of 1,161 members of Zila Parishad, 11,496 members of panchayat samities, Mukhiya and Sarpanch in 8,392 gram panchayats, 1,14,733 members in Gram Panchayat and Gram Kutchery each.