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Patna, November 6 (IANS) Voting for the first phase of Bihar assembly elections began at 7 am on Thursday in 18 districts of the state.
Voting is taking place in 121 assembly constituencies and 1314 candidates including 1192 male and 122 female candidates are in the fray in this election.
According to the Election Commission, a total of 3,75,13,302 voters, including 1,98,35,325 male, 1,76,77,219 female and 758 third gender voters, will decide the fate of 1314 candidates in this election.
The total number of polling stations is 45341, which includes 36733 in rural areas and 8608 in urban areas.
The Election Commission has declared 320 model stations, 926 women-managed and 107 disabled-managed stations in these districts. Webcasting will be available at all 45341 polling stations.
Voting will continue at general booths till 6 pm. However, voting in six assembly constituencies located in Naxal-affected areas will end at 5 pm
Before voting opened for the public, a mock poll was conducted between 5 am and 7 am in the presence of booth level agents.
Voting is going on in Khagaria, Munger, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Patna, Bhojpur, Madhepura, Saharsa, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai and Buxar.
Unprecedented security arrangements have been made for the first phase.
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in all 18 districts, with special patrolling at sensitive and ultra-sensitive booths.
More than 15 battalions of forces have been deployed across the state.
Patna district administration said that security personnel have been deployed at every booth to prevent any disturbance or spread of rumours.
Patna alone has 5,677 polling booths, including 541 women-only booths, 49 model polling booths, 14 disabled-friendly polling booths and 3 youth-themed booths.
Voters in Muzaffarpur are casting their votes at 4,186 polling stations for 11 assembly seats, where around 32.98 lakh voters are eligible.
In Lakhisarai on Wednesday, all the sector officials and polling personnel collected EVMs and other material from Gandhi Maidan. Many booths here fall in Naxal affected areas and voting will close at 5 pm.
Officials say that vehicles, EVMs and necessary equipment have been provided to all polling staff.
Voting for all 10 assembly constituencies in Samastipur also started at 7 am.
A total of 29,32,602 voters will cast their votes at 3,603 polling stations set up across the district.
The District Election Department said that special arrangements have been made to ensure free, fair and peaceful voting.
–IANS
AJK/RS