Patna, May 3: The fifth round of the ongoing panchayat polls passed off rather peacefully amid tight security arrangements. The Election Commission has claimed that no major incident of violence was reported from any of the districts that went to polls today.
An estimated 62.6 per cent polling was recorded during the fifth phase. The highest polling percentage was recorded in Katihar with 73 per cent voters exercising their franchise. The lowest voter turnout was reported from Gaya, where 53 per cent polling was recorded.
According to reports, at least three persons were seriously injured when supporters of two rival candidates opened fire in Ranipur panchayat under Minapur block in Muzaffarpur. The injured Harendra Giri, Ram Balak Paswan and Upendra Ram have been admitted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
Another incident of firing was reported from Muzaffarpur’s Surajpakri village under Sivaipatti police station in which two persons, including Ram Balak Paswan, sustained serious injuries. Eleven persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.
A bomb was hurled outside a polling station at Turki Gangati village under Minapur police station in Muzaffarpur. However, there was no report of any injury or casualty in the bomb blast. Incidents of clashes were reported between the police and voters at polling station numbers six and seven at Badtar village in Jehanabad district. The rifle of a Special Auxiliary Police (SAP) personnel deputed at a polling station under Mahinathpur panchayat in Khagaria district was stolen. However, the firearm was later recovered from the village, police sources said.
State election commissioner J.K. Dutta said a total of 932 persons were arrested from different places in the state. One regular gun and two live cartridges were seized from Bhojpur district. A total of 250 vehicles, Rs 2,00,450, 30 cellphones and 245 litres of liquor were also seized, the source added.
Prominent among those arrested include presiding officer Dinesh Prasad Singh from Araria, mukhiya candidate from Biharibigha panchayat (Patna) Umashankar Singh, mukhiya candidate from Gaya Jay Ram Yadav and Parmanand Prasad, zila parishad candidate from Nalanda.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has announced the dates for counting of votes. Dutta said: “The counting of votes would begin in Sheohar on May 9, where elections have already been completed. The counting would be held in Jehanabad, Kishanganj and Sheikhpura on May 12 followed by Rohtas, Nalanda, Bhagalpur, Katihar and Khagaria on May 15.
The counting of votes would take place in Buxar, Bhojpur, Kaimur, Gopalganj and Araria on May 18. In Patna, Gaya, Arwal, Nawada, Saran, Siwan, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Madhubani, Saharsa, Madhepura, Supaul, Purnea, Munger, Begusarai and Lakhisarai, the counting would be held on May 21.
The counting will begin in East Champaran and Banka districts on May 24, while votes would be counted in Aurangabad and Jamui on May 27. The counting for Rohtas and Nauhatta blocks in Rohtas district would be held on May 29.
Dutta said instructions have been issued to all the returning officers to hand over the certificates to the winners soon after the declaration of results.
