Patna: Voting began on Friday in the second of the five-phase assembly elections in Bihar, officials said.

Around 8.58 million voters are eligible to decide the fate of 456 candidates in 32 constituencies in the districts of Gaya, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal, as well as Kaimur and Rohtas, which saw some horrific caste massacres in the 1980s and 1990s.

Some of these areas are also under Maoist influence, and officials admit security will be a major concern.

Most of the 8,849 polling booths which will see voting on Friday are in rural areas.

The first phase on Monday had seen a 57 percent turnout. The third phase of polling will take place on October 28, fourth on November 1 and the final phase will be on November 5. Counting will take place on November 8.

(IANS)