Patna : Voting was underway on September 10 in by-polls for seven assembly constituencies in Bihar amid high security. It is seen as a mini referendum for the Janata Dal-United government ahead of state assembly polls slated for next year.

The seven constituencies where by-polls are underway are Warisnagar, Kalyanpur, Bochaha, Chenari, Aurai, Chainpur and Ramgarh. Officials in the police headquarters here said the polls began on a peaceful note and there was no report of violence. State election department officials said around 20 percent turnout was recorded till noon.

The second phase of by-polls for 11 more assembly seats will be held Sep 15. The by-polls were necessitated to fill up the seats vacated mostly by sitting legislators to contest the April-May Lok Sabha polls. Though the campaign was dull, star campaigners of all political parties tried to woo voters in favour of their candidates.