New Delhi, Apr 23 The Election Commission on Thursday declared that the average turn out in the second phase of Lok Sabha election held in 12 States for 141 seats stood at 55 per cent of the total electorate of 19.5 crores (195 millions).

A million polling staff was deployed ensured a successful conduct of polls across 12 states-Bihar, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka, Goa, and Tripura.

Releasing the tentative figures about the total voter turnout, the Election Commission stated Bihar witnessed 44 per cent voting, Jharkhand (47 %), Jammu and Kashmir (46%), Maharashtra (56%), Andhra Pradesh (68%), Uttar Pradesh (44%), Assam (62%), Madhya Pradesh (47%), Orissa (55-60%), Karnataka (55%) and Goa (55%).

Polling remained largely peaceful in 223,000 polling stations except a few Naxal incidents reported from Jharkhand.

A total of 2,041 candidates, including 121 women candidates, contested for the 141 seats today.

The break-up of Lok Sabha seats that underwent to the polls on Thursday is as follows: Uttar Pradesh (17), MP (13), Maharashtra (25), Goa (2), Karnataka (17), Bihar (13), Jharkhand (8), Orissa (11), Andhra Pradesh (20), Assam (11), Tripura (2) and Jammu and Kashmir (1). (ANI)