Patna, June 1 (Reporter) An estimated 24.25 percent of more than 1.62 crore electorate exercised their franchise amid tight security arrangements till 11 AM in seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections in eight seats in Bihar. Star candidates whose fates would be sealed in EVMs are Union Minister R K Singh, former Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Upendra Kushwaha and Ram Kripal Yadav. Lok Sabha seats where polling is in progress are -- Nalanda, Patna Sahib, Pataliputra, Arrah, Buxar, Sasaram, Karakat and Jehanabad. Polling began at 7 am and it will end at 6 pm, when polling for 18th Lok Sabha will come to an end as well. Sources at office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar, said highest polling of 24.25 percent polling was recorded till 11 AM during the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections. Highest polling of 27.92 was recorded in Karakat followed by Patliputra--27.68, Jehanabad-- 27.09, Buxar--25.89, Nalanda--24.30, Sasaram--22.09, Arrah--21.19 and Patna Sahib--19.33 percent. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere so far where polling was in progress, sources added. Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, his wife and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap, and daughter Rohini Acharya cast their votes in Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency. Acharya is RJD candidate from Saran Lok Sabha seat where polling was held earlier. BJP candidate and former Union Minister Ram Kripal Yadav exercised their franchise in Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat. Governor Arlekar appealed to people to come out from their houses in large numbers and exercise their franchise. India was the only country in world where elections were held using latest technology, he remarked. A large number voters had arrived at booth before the start of polling. Women and first time voters were seen much enthusiastic to exercise their franchise. They were waiting for their turns in long queues to cast their votes. In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, of these seats, BJP had won five while its ally JD(U) had bagged three seats. INDIA bloc comprising RJD and Congress as major partners, had then contested as Grand Alliance and drawn blank. In all eight seats, there is direct contest between NDA and INDIA bloc candidates barring Jehanabad and Karakat where electoral battle has turned triangular. BJP has fielded its candidates in all seats where party had won in last Lok Sabha elections -- Sasaram, Patliputra, Arrah, Buxar and Patna Sahib while JD(U) fielded its candidates in Jehanabad and Nalanda seat. RLM, another constituent of NDA has fielded its candidate in Karakat Lok Sabha seat. On the other hand, Grand Alliance constituents RJD and CPI(ML) are contesting in three seats each while Congress has fielded its candidates in two seats only. RJD has fielded its candidates in Patliputra, Buxar and Jehanabad while CPI(ML) candidates are trying their luck in Arrah, Karakat and Nalanda. Congress has fielded its candidates in Patna Sahib and Sasaram seats only. A total of 1,62,04,594 electorate including 85,01,620 males and 77,02,559 females are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide fate of 134 candidates in eight seats during 7th and final phase of Lok Sabha elections. Maximum 29 candidates are contesting from Nalanda seat while minimum 10 candidates are contesting from Sasaram seat. Out of total 16, 634 booths, all women managed booths are 146 and model booths are 117. Arrangements for webcasting have been made at 7,878 booths. Polling for six of seven phased Lok Sabha elections in Bihar were earlier held in 32 seats. Counting of votes would be taken up on June 4...////...