‘Jitiya’ may hit turnout of women voters in Bihar's Darbhanga

DARBHANGA: The second phase of panchayat polls scheduled for September 29 in two blocks of the district – Benipur and Alinagar – may witness low turnout of women voters due to ‘jitiya vrat’ which will begin from September 28 and end at 5.04pm on September 29.
According to Ramchandra Jha, former head of department of astrology at Darbhanga- based Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University, fasting without intake of water will start after sunrise on Tuesday and breaking of fast would take place after 5.04pm on Wednesday.
After being on fast without water for more than 24 hours, how would the women reach their polling stations and exercise franchise is a question haunting the candidates and the administration both.
An official, however, said the enthusiasm of voters, particularly women, is so high that they would exercise their franchise come what may.
“As large number of women candidates are in fray, they are expected to persuade the women to come out even during the fast,” the officer said.
Many women candidates will also observe the fast meant for well-being of their children.
A woman candidate for mukhiya in Benipur block said the State Election Commission should devise ways for bringing the fasting women to polling booths.