Bihar’s most peaceful election ever

Who wins in Bihar will be decided on November 22 when the counting begins but the Election Commission’s pointsman in the state — advisor K.J. Rao — clearly emerged the winner as elections drew to a close today. Bihar witnessed the most free and fair and peaceful elections in its history.

As in the past three phases, no major incidence of violence was reported today. ‘‘I have never witnessed this kind of election before,’’ said Ramsewak Prasad (50) at Saidpur under Bakhtiarpur constituency.

At Chainpur in Nalanda district, the scene was different from the February polls. The place which had witnessed a fierce clash between Kurmis and Yadavs, was peaceful this time. Kurmis had not allowed Yadavs and Paswans of the neighbouring village to cast their votes as the booth was located in their area of influence. — JP Yadav