Miffed over alleged apathy of the state authorities towards development of their areas, voters stayed away from at least 12 polling booths spread over Madhubani, Purnia, Araria, Madhepura and Kishanganj districts in the first phase of poll in Bihar today.

Reports reaching the state headquarters here said, voters did not exercise franchise at booth 113 and 14 under Benipatti assembly segment and booth 178 and 37 in Rajnagar seat in Madhubani district.

Similarly, the electorate did not turn up at booth 173 and 174 in Alamnagar assembly constituency where state JD(U) minister Narendra Narain Yadav was locked in a triangular fight with RJD and Congress nominees.

In Araria, voters boycotted the poll at booth 192 under Jokihat assembly segment, while in Kishanganj, people boycotted voting at booth 104 in Bahadurganj seat.

The voters did not participate in today's exercise in two booths each in Rupauli and Banmankhi assembly segments in Purnia district, the reports said.

People also held demonstrations and shouted slogans against the state government for alleged neglect of their areas.