Patna:
Polling began in Pataliputra, Patna Saheb and Nalanda Lok Sabha seats at 7 am on Thursday in the fourth and final phase in Bihar amid tight security and shoot at sight orders.
Prominent candidates in the fray today are RJD president and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad (Pataliputra), BJP's actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha and TV star Shekhar Suman of Congress (Patna Saheb).
''The polling is reported to be peaceful with para-military personnel guarding the booths,'' Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Neelmani said.
Central Para Military Forces (CPMF) comprising jawans of ITBP, CRPF, BSF, Bihar Military Police and District Armed Police were seen guarding the polling stations and patrolling the roads in the three constituencies.
Aerial patrolling is being conducted in naxal-affected areas and mounted police and security personnel are patrolling the riverine areas in mechanised boats, official sources said.
The borders of Patna district have been sealed to prevent entry of anti-socials, the sources said adding about 1000 digital cameras have been installed and 1050 micro observers deployed to keep a tab on troublemakers.
A little over 48.92 lakh voters are eligible to choose from among 57 candidates, including four women - two each in Nalanda and Pataliputra.
The voting time for Islampur and Hilsa assembly segments in Nalanda Lok Sabha constituency and Masaurhi and Paliganj of Pataliputra have been reduced by two hours due to threat from CPI(Maoist) rebels, who have given a poll boycott call.
Voting in these segments will conclude at 3 p m, while elsewhere it will end at 5 p m, election office sources said.