Bihar is witnessing enthusiastic voter participation in the second phase of Assembly elections. According to the Election Commission of India, the state recorded a voter turnout of 47.62 per cent till 1 p.m. on Tuesday, higher than the 42.31 per cent registered at the same time during the first phase of polling.
Among districts, Kishanganj recorded the highest turnout of 51.86 per cent, while Madhubani saw the lowest at 43.39 per cent. Brisk polling was also reported from Gaya (50.95 per cent), Jamui (50.91 per cent), Aurangabad (49.45 per cent), Banka (50.07 per cent), Purnia (49.63 per cent), and Paschim Champaran (48.91 per cent).
Constituency wise, Supaul recorded 47.66 per cent turnout, Sasaram 45.23 per cent, Mohania 50.97 per cent, Kutumba 49.68 per cent, Gaya Town 39.09 per cent, Chainpur 51.05 per cent, Dhamdaha 50.16 per cent, Harsiddhi 46.62 per cent, and Jhanjharpur 40.63 per cent.
Polling began at 7 a.m. across 122 constituencies in 20 districts, covering around 3.7 crore electors. A total of 3,70,13,556 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in this phase, including 1,95,44,041 male, 1,74,68,572 female, and 943 third-gender voters.
This phase will decide the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Cabinet. JD(U) leaders in the fray include Vijendra Yadav (Supaul), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas). From the BJP, Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi) are contesting.
Of the 122 seats, 11 are in East Champaran, 10 each in Madhubani and Gaya, nine in West Champaran, eight in Sitamarhi, and seven each in Bhagalpur, Rohtas, Purnia, and Katihar. Six seats each are voting in Araria and Aurangabad, while Nawada, Banka, and Supaul have five each. Kaimur, Jamui, and Kishanganj have four each, Jehanabad three, Arwal two, and Sheohar one.
In the 2020 Assembly elections, out of these 122 seats, the BJP had won 42, the RJD 33, the JD(U) 20, the Congress 11, and the Left parties five.
The NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), HAM(S), LJP (RV), and allies, is seeking a second consecutive term, while the Mahagathbandhan, including the RJD, Congress, Left parties, and VIP, is aiming for a comeback. The Jan Suraaj Party is also contesting in several seats.
The first phase of polling saw a record 65.08 per cent voter turnout, the highest in the state’s history. Counting of votes will be held on November 14.
Besides Bihar, bye-elections are being held in eight Assembly constituencies across six states and one Union Territory.
As of 1 p.m., voter turnout in these constituencies was 34.01 per cent in Budgam (Jammu and Kashmir), 52.44 per cent in Nagrota (Jammu and Kashmir), 47.77 per cent in Anta (Rajasthan), 54.08 per cent in Ghatsila (Jharkhand), 31.94 per cent in Jubilee Hills (Telangana), 36.62 per cent in Tarn Taran (Punjab), 56.35 per cent in Dampa (Mizoram), and 51.42 per cent in Nuapada (Odisha).