NEW DELHI: Bihar recorded an estimated voter turnout of 60.18 per cent in the first phase of its Assembly elections on Thursday even as the official time for polling came to a close at 5 p.m.
However, electors who had joined the queue before the stipulated time will be allowed to cast their vote.
A large number of women electors were seen waiting to exercise their suffrage since early Thursday morning.
In recent times, Bihar has earned the distinction of recording a higher female turnout over their male counterparts.
Among the districts that recorded the highest percentage of voting were Begusarai (67.32 per cent), Samastipur (66.65), Madhepura (65.74), Muzaffarpur (65.23 per cent).
Meanwhile, a comparatively lower turnout was logged at Sheikhpura, which was 52.36 per cent while Bhojpur recorded 53.24 per cent.
In Patna, the turnout was estimated at 55.02 per cent.
The figures are likely to increase after the final turnout figures are tallied.
Out of Bihar's 243 Assembly seats, 121 went to poll in the first phase, while the remaining 122 will go to the polls in the second round on November 11.
Results will be declared on November 14.
The current Assembly's tenure is set to expire on November 22.
Sporadic violence was also reported, including an attack on Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha's convoy in Lakhisarai and another allegedly on a Communist Party of India's vehicle in Chhapra were reported through the day.
Reports from Chhapra said that the vehicle of the sitting candidate from Manjhi, Satyendra Yadav was attacked on Thursday afternoon.
Tension gripped Lakhisarai after stones and slippers were pelted at the convoy of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the constituency, Vijay Kumar Sinha.
The crowd reportedly surrounded him and chanted "Murdabad", stopping him from going ahead.
Amidst the ensuing chaos, security personnel stepped in to control the situation.
Terming the incident "unfortunate", Deputy CM Sinha alleged that his convoy was attacked by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supporters.
The Election Commission has taken strong note of the incident and urged the Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar for a probe and take action.