Low Voter Turnout: Only 21.68% Cast Votes in Bihar's By-Polls till 11 AM

In Bihar's second phase of Lok Sabha polls, 21.68% voter turnout was recorded till 11 am in five constituencies: Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur, and Banka. Fifty candidates are contesting, and over 93 lakh voters will cast their ballots. Purnea had the highest turnout at 25.9%, while Banka had the lowest at 18.75%. Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha urged people to vote, while Congress MP Mohd Javed alleged a fake statement in his name asking voters to support another candidate. Over 150 paramilitary companies are ensuring security amid a heatwave.

A voter turnout of 21.68 per cent was recorded till 11 am in the five Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar where polling was underway in the second phase on Friday, officials said.

The polling started at 7 am in Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur and Banka constituencies, and would continue till 6 pm, they said.

Fifty candidates are in the fray in these five seats, and over 93 lakh people are eligible to decide their fate, they added.

In the first four hours, Purnea recorded a voter turnout of 25.9 per cent, Katihar registered 22.65 per cent, Kishanganj recorded 21.94 per cent, Bhagalpur registered 19.27 per cent and Banka recorded 18.75 per cent, officials said.

Speaking to reporters in Lakhisarai, Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha said, ''I urge people to exercise their franchise in large numbers. People must vote for the overall growth of the country as well as Bihar.'' Meanwhile, Congress's Kishanganj MP Mohd Javed, who is seeking re-election, filed a police complaint, alleging that his opponents issued a fake statement in his name asking voters to vote in favour of another candidate.

''It was an attempt by my opponents to mislead voters of Kishanganj. I filed a complaint against the suspects last night,'' he told reporters.

More than 150 companies of paramilitary forces are assisting the state police in ensuring free and fair elections in this phase, officials said.

The polling was underway amid intense heatwave conditions with the mercury shooting past the 40-degrees Celsius mark in most parts of the state.

Arrangements for tents and drinking water have been made at the polling stations, officials said.

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