Patna, Oct 16 (IANS): Hundreds of voters cast their ballots at seven polling booths in Bihar's Gaya district managed by an all-women staff, officials said.

"It was something unbelievable till a few years ago, but now seven model polling booths in Gaya town assembly constituency were fully managed by women officials," District Election Officer Sanjay Agarwal said.

He said polling is underway in a peaceful manner there.

"The presiding officer, the micro observers, the polling agent as well as the security personnel are all women," he said.

Two model polling booths are in Gaya college and five in Mahavir high school school and middle school in Gaya town, about 100 km from here.

Agarwal said voters praised the polling booths managed by women. "The voters' response has been positive," he said.

Polling began at 7 a.m. in 32 of the 243 constituencies, including Maoist-affected areas, spread across six districts, in the second phase of assembly elections on Friday.