Bihar 4th phase polling: FIR ordered against Lalu

Patna: Bihar's capital city, Patna, voted today, and Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife, Rabri Devi, arrived early to cast their vote.

Lalu, who like his wife is a former Chief Minister, entered the polling station at the Digha Assembly constituency with his security guards, violating guidelines for the model code of conduct. So, the Patna district administration ordered that a First Information Report (FIR) be registered against him.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was quick to take a swipe at Lalu. "He cannot improve, he enjoys breaking rules and laws," Nitish said. (Watch)

Polling in Bihar is being held in six phases - today marks the fourth phase. Counting is scheduled for November 24.

An estimated 51 per cent voters exercised their franchise. Around 38 people were arrested from various constituencies, Director General of Police Neelmani said, adding 39 vehicles were also seized.

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Polling was held in 42 constituencies, many of them Naxal-affected, and there were reports of a Maoist-triggered explosion near a bridge on Chakai-Jamui main road in Batai jungle. No one was injured in the incident. The BSF personnel retaliated, and the extremists fled away.

Multi-tier security was put in place and voting was held in Alauli (SC), Suryagarha, Tarapur, Jamalpur, Katoria (SC), Belhar, Sinkandra (SC), Jamui, Jhajha and Chakair, between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm. (Read: Key candidates)

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The Director General of Police, Neelmani, said over 48,000 poll personnel were engaged in Monday's exercise and preventive measures were taken against 64,205 persons in Patna, Bhagalpur, Naugachia, Banka, Munger, Jamui, Lakhisarai, Shekhpura, Khagaria, and Begusarai.

Polling at several booths in these constituencies was also webcast by BSNL, enabling the district electoral officer, chief electoral officer in Patna and Election Commission in New Delhi to watch live footage of the polling process, state Chief Electoral Officer S K Rakesh said.