Polling begins for fifth phase of Bihar assembly polls

Patna: Polling has begun for the fifth and final phase of assembly elections in Bihar amid tight security. Voting, which began at 7 AM, will end at 5 PM. In two constituencies of Simri Bakhtiarpur and Mahishi polling will conclude at 3 PM due to security reasons. Voting is taking place for 57 constituencies, spread over nine districts. 

These districts are Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia, Katihar, Madhepura, Saharsa and Darbhanga. AIR Correspondent reports that over 1 crore 55 lakhs voters will decide the fate of 827 candidates including 58 women.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed voters of Bihar to show up in large numbers for the fifth and final phase of state Assembly elections. 

Nearly 14,709 polling stations have been setup for the purpose. Over 1 lakh security forces have been deployed to ensure free and fair polling.



Besides Central para military forces at every booth, a three tier security arrangement has been put in place. 

While five helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles or drones will keep a vigil from sky during polling process, one air ambulance will be ready to meet any eventuality. 

Indo-Nepal border along Bihar has been sealed and nobody would be allowed to come and go across border. Inter district border has also been sealed and a strict vigil is being maintained to avert untoward incidents.

Important candidate whose fate will be decided in this phase includes six Ministers Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Narendra Narayan Yadav Dulalchand Goswami, Bima Bharati, Naushad Alam and Lesi Singh. Former ministers Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Nitish Mishra and BJP state spokeperson Vinod Narayan Jha are also in the fray. Counting of votes will be taken up on Sunday.