Bihar records historic 64.66% voter turnout in phase1 of assembly polls

Polling for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections was concluded peacefully on Thursday in 121 constituencies,with around 64.66% of voters casting their ballots, marking a historic turnout. The polling was, however, marred by an attack on Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha and allegations by the RJD that electricity was being cut off in "strong booths" of the Mahagathbandhan. Polling took place in 121 of the state’s 243 constituencies, setting up a fierce contest between the ruling NDA and a resurgent Mahagathbandhan.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vinod Singh Gunjiyal said a total of 3.75 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in this phase, to decide the electoral fate of 1,314 candidates. Voting took place across 45,341 polling stations, of which 36,733 were in rural areas, he added. Gunjiyal said that barring a few incidents of "minor scuffles" in Lakhisarai and Saran, polling passed off peacefully."A total of 143 complaints were received and were immediately resolved," he added. Gunjiyal said polling was boycotted in certain booths in Buxar, Fatuha and Suryagarha.

In a notable first, 16 international delegates from six countries — South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Belgium, and Colombia — observed the polling process as part of the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP). The delegates praised the Election Commission of India (ECI) for conducting one of the world’s most transparent, efficient, and participatory elections. The remaining 122 seats of the 243-member assembly will vote on November 11, while the counting will take place on November 14.