At Least 23 People Are Killed in Indian Election Violence

Violence marred an election Saturday in Bihar, one of India’s most populous and poorest states, with land mine explosions and gunfire killing 17 people.

Violence also marred polling in the northeastern state of Manipur. At least six people were killed and 10 others injured in two attacks by armed militants, the Press Trust of India reported.

In the worst of the five land-mine explosions in Bihar--also a northeastern state--eight policemen were killed in a rural area Friday night. In four mine attacks Saturday, six police and two poll workers were killed and six others wounded.

One policeman was shot dead in a gun battle after one of the explosions.

Police said they suspect the Maoist Communist Center, which had called for an election boycott. The leftist group has been blamed for attacks on upper-caste villages.

Unidentified gunmen shot at a candidate in central Bihar, seriously injuring him, the United News of India reported.

The three-phased election in Bihar features a race for the chief minister’s job that includes one of India’s most colorful leaders.

More than half the 20 million eligible voters cast their ballots on the first day of the election for the state government, which Laloo Prasad Yadav and his wife, Rabri Devi, have headed for 11 years.

The second stage of voting is Thursday, the third is Feb. 22, and results will be released Feb. 25.

At least 36 of the more than 3,000 candidates have criminal records or are facing serious charges in court, police said.

Among those candidates still embroiled in criminal cases is Yadav, the former chief minister who changed the face of Indian politics by assembling a powerful voting bloc of low-caste Hindus.