Patna, Nov 14 (UNI) The Bihar assembly election verdict will be declared today, with vote counting now underway under tight security. The Election Commission of India (ECI) began the process at 8 am with postal ballots, followed by Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) counting at 8:30 a.m. Results from all 243 Assembly constituencies will start emerging by around 9 am.
This time Bihar polls saw a historic 67.13 per ent voter turnout, Bihar’s highest since 1951. Conducted in two phases on November 6 and 11, the election drew strong participation, with turnout at 65.08 percent in the first phase and 68.76 per cent in the second. A total of 74.2 million registered voters, including 39.2 million men and 35 million women, cast their ballots to decide the fate of 2,616 candidates.
A total of 243 Returning Officers (ROs) and 243 Counting Observers are overseeing the process in the presence of contesting candidates and their agents. The ECI has confirmed that this is the first election in recent history in which no discrepancies or malpractices were reported across polling stations after scrutiny, and no repolls were required.
The results will decide whether Chief Minister Nitish Kumar secures a record fifth consecutive term, or whether the opposition Mahagathbandhan can pull off a major upset. Most exit polls have predicted a comfortable victory for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) despite discussions around anti-incumbency.
The NDA comprises five parties, with the JD(U) and BJP contesting 101 seats each. The INDIA bloc includes the RJD, Congress, CPI(ML) Liberation, other Left parties, and the VIP. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the chief ministerial face of the Mahagathbandhan, has dismissed exit poll predictions and claimed the alliance will win with a “thumping majority.”
Security across counting centres has been heightened. Gaya Town SSP Anand Kumar said: “All necessary preparations have been made. There is a three-layer security arrangement around every strong room. Adequate Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed at all entry points and sensitive areas. Ten motorcycle QRTs and about 200 jawans are patrolling continuously. The District Control Room is fully functional. Victory processions are prohibited under the Model Code of Conduct. Section 163 of the BNS is in effect, restricting gatherings of more than four people.”
Key Constituencies to Watch
Raghopur (Vaishali): A stronghold of the Yadavs, this seat has been represented by Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi in the past. Tejashwi Yadav, who won in 2020, faces BJP’s Satish Kumar Yadav, a leader with an agrarian base.
Mahua (Vaishali): Tej Pratap Yadav, now with the Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) after his expulsion from the RJD, contests from Mahua. He faces sitting RJD MLA Mukesh Kumar Raushan and LJP (Ram Vilas) candidate Sanjay Kumar Singh.
Lakhisarai: The home turf of Deputy CM and BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha. Known as an NDA stronghold, the seat will test BJP’s rural influence as Sinha battles Jan Suraaj’s Suraj Kumar and Congress’ Amaresh Kumar.
Patna Sahib: A key urban constituency and a long-time BJP bastion. The party’s Ratnesh Kushwaha is up against Congress’ Shashant Shekhar and BSP’s Randhir Kumar, with urban voters likely to shape the outcome.
Tarapur: Once a Congress–JD(U) stronghold, now crucial for the BJP. Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary faces RJD’s Arun Kumar and Jan Suraaj’s Santosh Kumar Singh in a contest significant for the BJP’s OBC outreach.
Phulwari (SC Reserved, Patna): CPI(ML) MLA Gopal Ravidas is challenged by JD(U)’s Shyam Rajak and Jan Suraaj’s Shashi Kant Prasad in a closely watched three-cornered fight.
Mokama: JD(U)’s Anant Singh attempts to reclaim his bastion against Jan Suraaj’s Priyadarshi Piyush and RJD’s Veena Devi. His campaign has been clouded by his arrest in a murder case involving a Jan Suraaj supporter.
Alinagar (Mithilanchal): Folk singer Maithili Thakur makes her political debut with the BJP, replacing sitting MLA Mishrilal Yadav. She faces RJD’s Binod Mishra and Jan Suraaj’s Biplaw Kumar Choudhary.
Among the key political figures whose electoral fortunes will be decided today are both Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with 27 other Ministers, including Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Shravan Kumar, Mangal Pandey, Madan Sahni, Nitin Nabin, Maheshwar Hazari, Sunil Kumar, and Leshi Singh.
Other prominent contenders in the fray include Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, the Grand Alliance’s Chief Ministerial candidate; his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav; former union Ministers Ram Kripal Yadav and Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav; former Assembly Speakers Uday Narayan Choudhary and Awadh Bihari Choudhary; and former Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad.
In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 125 seats, with the BJP winning 74, JD(U) 43, and VIP and HAM(S) winning four seats each. The Grand Alliance won 110 seats, led by the RJD with 75, the Congress with 19, and the CPI(ML) with 12, while smaller parties and independents claimed the remaining seats.
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