31 p.c. polling in Bihar till noon

Voters on Monday braved the scorching sun to cast their votes in six Lok Sabha constituencies of Bihar which witnessed a voter turnout of about 31 per cent till noon.

While 30 per cent voting was recorded in Valmikinagar, it was 31 per cent in West Champaran, 28 per cent in East Champaran, 35.1 per cent in Vaishali, 31.2 per cent in Gopalganj (SC) and 30.2 per cent in Siwan till noon, an Election Commission statement said.

Despite the soaring temperature, enthusiasm for voting was visible particularly among women and first time voters.

In Meenapur block of Vaishali, an elderly woman was seen coming to booth number 132 on a “thela” (wooden cart) to cast her vote.

A large number of burqa clad women were seen standing in queque outsides booths in Siwan Parliamentary constituency.

RJD candidate from Siwan Heena Sahbab stood with women in line to exercise her franchise.

Complaints of problems in EVMs were reported from some booths in Gopalganj, East Champaran and elsewhere, the statement said.