Women power pushes up Bihar poll turnout

Greater participation of women in the democratic exercise pushed up the voting percentage in Bihar assembly polls this time by around 7% compared to five years ago.

The cumulative voting percentage in the six-phase polls rose to 52.43% this year, up from 45.85% recorded in October 2005 assembly election and 44.46% in 2009 Lok Sabha elections in the state.

While the voting turn out of males was 50.77%, the women's turn out was 54.85%. It was a quantum jump, election commission officials said in New Delhi.

And for a change, the state did not report a single case of booth-capturing. "This was the most peaceful election ever held in Bihar," chief election commissioner SY Qureshi told reporters at the end of last phase of staggered polling.

Qureshi said election commission is fully geared to ensure a peaceful and fair counting of votes on November 24 and has appointed independent observers for the purpose.

The sixth phase of polling in 26 Maoist-hit constituencies today recorded 50.98% of turn out, which was attributed to absence of fear, voter awareness campaigns and scientific poll-management.

Qureshi said the commission carried out air, water and land surveillance to ensure security during polls and four helicopters were also used for the purpose.

Election commission had for the first time appointed micro observers at around ten thousand polling booths of the states for better monitoring of the polling exercise, he added.