Sunday, November 13 2005 18:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: An estimated 43 to 45 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the third phase of the elections to 57 assembly constituencies in Bihar, which passed off peacefully amid tight security.

State election office sources said around 43 to 45 per cent of over 1.17 crore voters participated in today's (Nov 13, 2005) exercise to decide the electoral fate of 494 candidates. No untoward incidents were reported from anywhere, state Home Secretary H C Sirohi told sources.

Around 50 people, including state BSP General Secretary and two party candidates, were taken into custody for moving around in their respective constituencies in violation of prohibitory orders, official sources said.

State BSP General Secretary Nandkishore Ram, his party candidate for Ramnagar assembly seat Prabhat Ranjan and three activists were taken into custody for driving around the constituency in West Champaran district. Their vehicle was also seized.

DIG (Champaran range) Arvind Pandey ordered arrest of Samajwadi Party candidate for the Dhanaha seat Ramadhar Yadav, son of bandit Basudeo Yadav, for allegedly trying to capture a booth, the sources said.

B Mukti Bodh, the BSP candidate for the Simri Bakhtiarpur seat in Saharsa district was arrested by the BSF for going around with supporters in violation of prohibitory orders, the source said.

Section 188 IPC is bailable and all would be released on bail by the concerned police station, Nilekar said.