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Bihar Election: 67.14% Voter Turnout Till 5pm, EVMs Sealed After Voting Completes

EVMs, VVPAT Machines Sealed

After the conclusion of the second and final phase of voting, EVMs and VVPAT machines were sealed in various constituencies. They would be safely stored in the strong rooms and opened on November 14, when the results are expected to be announced.

Women Actively Participated in Phase-2 of Bihar Polls: ECI

The Election Commission of India reported that women actively participated in the second phase of voting in Bihar.

111-year-old Nasima Khatun casts vote in Bihar polls, says "fulfilled my duty"

A 111-year-old woman, Nasima Khatun, on Tuesday cast her vote at a polling booth in Chhatapur assembly constituency in Supaul district in the second phase of the Bihar polls, exhibiting her commitment to the democratic exercise."I have cast my vote and fulfilled my duty," Nasima Khatun, who was in a wheelchair, told ANI after casting her ballot. Officials said she is the oldest voter in the Sapaul district. Bihar recorded a big voter turnout of 67.14 per cent in the second phase of Assembly polls till 5 pm on Tuesday, according to data from the Election Commission.  — ANI

Highest-ever voter turnout of 67.14 pc recorded in second phase of Bihar elections

Patna : Bihar on Tuesday recorded its highest-ever voter turnout of 67.14 per cent, provisionally, at close of polling in the second and final phase of the high-stakes assembly elections, seen as a veritable referendum on the state's longest-serving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The polling percentage across 122 constituencies comprising 3.70 crore voters, which was higher than the record 65.09 turnout registered in the first phase on November 6, was likely to go up, as queues of voters were seen at many booths, officials said.

Kishanganj, the lone Muslim-majority district in the state, recorded the highest polling percentage so far at 76.26, followed by adjoining Katihar (75.23) and Purnea (73.79), Supaul (70.69) and Araria (67.79).

Most of the districts are situated along the border with Nepal, many of them falling in the state's north-eastern region of Kosi- Seemanchal, flood prone and with a high percentage of the minority community.

Voting turnout has also been high in south Bihar districts like Jamui (67.81 pc), Gaya (67.50 pc) and Kaimur (67.22 pc). The lowest turnout (57.31 pc) was recorded in Nawada, the only district that did not touch the 60 per cent mark till 5 pm.

Although Kumar, who is a member of the state legislative council, is not himself contesting the polls, the BJP-led NDA is banking on 'good governance' during the tenure of the JD(U) president to tackle the anti-incumbency factor.

The second phase, in which eight ministers of his cabinet are in the fray, involves high stakes for the ruling NDA, as also the opposition INDIA bloc, which pins its hopes on the incumbency factor, as well as the high concentration of Muslims in many of the poll-bound districts.

The second phase is of particular significance for the Congress, a spent force which is, nonetheless, the second-largest constituent of the INDIA bloc in Bihar. Of the 19 seats it had won in 2020 assembly polls, 12 go to polls in the current phase. Its sitting MLAs include state president Rajesh Kumar Ram (Kutumba) and Shakeel Ahmed Khan (Kadwa).

In the first phase, on November 6, a "record" 65.09 per cent of 3.75 crore electors, across 121 constituencies had cast their vote, which both rival groups claim to be to their advantage.

However, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, the proverbial 'X factor' in the elections, believes that the spike in voting percentage is due to the fact that people of the state, who had been in search of an "alternative", have found one in his barely a year old outfit.

Voting began for 122 constituencies in Bihar in the second and final phase of the high-stakes assembly polls amid tight security arrangements. The polling began at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm.

In this phase, the electoral fate of 1,302 candidates, including several ministers in the Nitish Kumar government, will be sealed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar urged electors to exercise their franchise in the final phase of polling and set a new voting record.

"Today marks the second and final phase of voting in the Bihar assembly elections. I urge all voters to participate enthusiastically and set a new voting record. I especially urge my young friends from the state, who are voting for the first time, to not only cast their votes themselves but also inspire others to do so," the PM said on X.

Kumar said voting is "not only our right, but also a responsibility".

"I appeal to voters to exercise their right to vote in the second phase of the Bihar assembly elections," he said in a social media post.

The districts where voting is underway include West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj, all sharing borders with Nepal.

Most of these districts fall in the Seemanchal region, which has a high concentration of Muslim population, making it a high-stakes battle for both the

INDIA bloc, which banks on the support of the minority community, as well as the ruling NDA, which alleges that the opposition is protecting infiltrators.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said people are "blessing the double-engine government's 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' mantra by pressing the vote button".

Bihar witnesses higher voting percentage, counting at November 14

Bihar recorded a turnout of 60.40 per cent in the second phase of Assembly polls till 3 pm on Tuesday, according to data from the Election Commission. The highest voter turnout was recorded in Kishanganj district at 66.10 per cent, followed by 64.22 per cent in Purnia, 63.80 per cent in Katihar, 63.33 per cent in Jamui and 63.03 per cent in Banka.

Nawada recorded 53.17 per cent turnout till 3 pm, according to the Voter Turnout application of the ECI. A turnout of 59.80 per cent was recorded in Araria, 58.26 per cent in Arwal, 60.59 per cent in Aurangabad, 58.37 per cent in Bhagalpur, 58.72 per cent in Jahanabad, 62.26 per cent in Kaimur (Bhabua), 61.99 per cent in Paschim Champaran and 62.74 per cent in Gaya.

Purvi Champaran recorded a voter turnout of 61.92 per cent, 55.92 per cent in Rohtas, 61.85 per cent in Sheohar, 58.32 per cent in Sitamarhi and 62.06 per cent in Supaul, 55.33 per cent in Madhubani. Among the key constituencies, Supaul recorded a turnout of 61.16 per cent, Sasaram 55.87 per cent, Mohania 63.70 per cent, Kutumba 59.52 per cent, Gaya Town 52.30 per cent, Chainpur 62.72 per cent, Dhamdaha 64.66 per cent, Harsiddhi 60,64 per cent and Jhanjharpur 51.89 per cent.

The second phase will decide the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet. Among them are JD(U) leaders Vijendra Yadav (contesting from Supaul assembly constituency), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas).

Ministers from the BJP in the fray include Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi). The first phase of the Bihar elections marked the highest polling percentage in the state's history. The state saw a record 65.08 per cent polling in the first phase of polling. Counting of votes will take place on November 14. 

In Bihar assembly elections voters have voted with great enthusiasm and the higher turnout till 3 pm is 60.40 per cent.

Polling started since Tuesday morning across 122 assembly constituencies of Bihar to decide the electoral fate of 1,302 candidates in the second and final phase of voting. 

In the first phase, on November 6 it was record of  65.09 per cent of 3.75 crore electors, across 121 constituencies had cast their votes. 

Vidya Sagar Keshri: Women voting in large numbers

Forbesganj MLA and BJP candidate Vidya Sagar Keshri said that women are voting in large numbers for a “fearless Bihar.”

Kishanganj district records highest polling percentage so far

According to the ECI, Kishanganj district recorded the highest polling percentage so far at 51.86, followed by Gaya 50.95% and Jamui 50.91%. Madhubani district recorded the lowest turnout of 43.39% till 1 pm.

47.62% voter turnout till 1 pm

According to Election Commission, a voter turnout of 47.62% was recorded till 1 pm in the second phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections.