52.75% voting was recorded in Rupauli assembly bye-election.

52.75% voting was recorded in Rupauli assembly bye-election.

Patna July 10: Apart from a couple of incidents, the polling for the Rupauli bye-election was completed peacefully in Purnea district on Wednesday.

The Election Commission registered a 52.75% voter turnout in the assembly constituency by 6 PM. Voting started at 7 AM on Wednesday. However, the electoral body has noted that the turnout for this bye-election was lower compared to the 2020 assembly election in the same constituency, which saw a 61.19% turnout.

A clash occurred between the two groups at Bhawanipur Bajrangbali Chowk in Bhangda village while another incident was reported in Gorier village, where the wife of independent candidate Shankar Singh accused the police of initiating a lathi charge on voters.

The Election Commission used 321 control units, 321 ballot units, and 321 VVPATs during the voting for the Rupauli bye-election.

During the mock poll, 5 ballot units and 3 control units were replaced. Additionally, 3 VVPATs were changed after the mock poll. 80 ballot units, 78 control units and 101 VVPATs were kept on reserve for the purpose.

A total of 321 polling stations have been established in 164 locations for the election. Among them, 291 are in rural areas, and 30 are in urban areas.

An official reported that a total of 12 complaints were received during the polling, all of which were resolved immediately.

A total of 11 candidates were in the fray of this bye-poll and the main contenders are Bima Bharti of RJD, Kaladhar Mandal of JD(U), and independent candidate Shankar Singh. The counting will be held on July 13.

The official further said a total of 3 lakh, 13 thousand 664 voters in the constituency. Among them, 1 lakh, 61 thousand 712 male, 1 lakh 51 thousand 936 female and 16 transgender voters.

Ends.

IANS.AJK.