50 percent voting in Bihar civic polls, 800 held

Patna, May 17 (IANS) Barring minor incidents of violence, the civic polls in Bihar Thursday were by and large peaceful with over 50 percent voting recorded, officials said. Over 800 people were arrested as a measure to prevent disruption of polls.

"The polls across the state were peaceful except for a few reports of minor violence and clashes in Patna, Bhagalpur, Gaya and Muzaffarpur districts," a police official said.

Some anti-social elements fired at a polling booth in Patna, he added.

Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Ravinder Kumar said that 886 people were arrested for efforts to hamper smooth voting.

"The polls concluded peacefully as there are no reports of major violence," he said.

Despite the hot weather, people queued up at polling stations as voting began at 7 a.m. "Till 4 p.m., an estimated over 50 percent voting was recorded," said an official of the state election office.

Over five million people were eligible to decide the fate of hundreds of candidates for the 2,864 wards in urban civic agencies spread over 37 districts. Half the seats were reserved for women. The results would be out May 19.