NEW DELHI: The primary section of the Bihar meeting elections on Thursday recorded the state's highest-ever voter turnout, with 64.66 per cent of three.75 crore electors exercising their franchise throughout 121 constituencies. The Election Fee mentioned polling concluded peacefully “in a festive temper with the highest-ever voter turnout of 64.66 per cent within the historical past of Bihar”. Bihar's chief electoral officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal mentioned girls voters participated in massive numbers with “numerous enthusiasm”.A number of distinguished leaders, together with Yadav, deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and quite a few ministers, had been among the many 1,314 candidates contesting on this section.
Violence, accusations and counter-claims
Stray incidents had been reported throughout polling, together with an alleged assault on a car in deputy Vijay Kumar Sinha's convoy. Sinha, looking for a fourth consecutive time period from Lakhisarai, alleged that RJD supporters tried to “intimidate” extraordinarily backward class voters.Sinha lashed out on the Lakhisarai Superintendent of Police (SP) and demanded the deployment of a “particular pressure” after his convoy was attacked by individuals he claimed had been supporters of the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).He additionally had a heated verbal spat with RJD MLC Ajay Kumar. The 2 leaders had been seen hurling abuses at one another as their convoys got here face-to-face. Because the RJD MLC accused Sinha of being a “legal”, alleging that he was attempting to intimidate voters, Sinha hit again, calling Kumar a “failed chief” and “drunk.” The latter dismissed the “drunk” cost, saying that it was “Mahua” (native liquor).Alternatively, the RJD alleged on X that voting had been “intentionally slowed down” in areas the place the INDIA bloc is believed to have robust assist. The Election Fee rejected the accusation.On the Manjhi meeting constituency within the Saran district, a car of CPM candidate Dr Satyendra Yadav, representing the Grand Alliance, was attacked by miscreants throughout the first section of polling. The assault resulted within the shattering of his SUV's home windows, making a chaotic ambiance within the space. The incident occurred in Jaitpur village underneath Daudpur police station space, whereas Yadav was on a tour of his constituency.A notable function of this election was the presence of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Occasion. Kishor has promised to make Bihar “among the many top-ranking ones within the nation” and has mentioned he intends to scrap the prohibition legislation, arguing that it has weakened the state's assets.
The firsts of Bihar elections
For the primary time, there was reside webcasting of polling in 100% of the polling stations, with chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and election commissioners S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi monitoring the feed from the EC management room right here. The CEC engaged with the presiding officers and district election officers from the management room to make sure the graceful progress of polling.One other first on this election was the go to of 16 international delegates from six international locations to Bihar as a part of the worldwide election guests' programme (IEVP), to witness the ballot proceedings . The delegates, EC mentioned, hailed the Bihar elections for being some of the well-organised, clear, environment friendly and participative elections, internationally. Over 90,000 ‘jeevika didis' or feminine volunteers had been deployed to help the polling personnel in figuring out the ‘purdahnasheen' (veiled) girls electors.The presiding officers up to date the voter turnout figures on the shut of ballot earlier than leaving the polling station, chopping the delay in updation of approximate voter turnout traits. Earlier these figures would land until as late as 11.30 pm on polling day.The Bihar polls witnessed use of color photographs of candidates on EVM poll papers. In one other first, electors might deposit their mobiles on the polling stations. Modified voter info slips ensured simple readability. On condition that the voters per polling station was capped at 1200, voting might proceed with none lengthy queues and additional ready instances.
Report turnouts
Polling passed off throughout 18 districts. Muzaffarpur recorded the best turnout at 70.96 per cent, adopted by Samastipur at 70.63 per cent. Madhepura recorded 67.21 per cent, Vaishali 67.37 per cent, Saharsa 66.84 per cent, Khagaria 66.36 per cent, Lakhisarai 65.05 per cent, Munger 60.40 per cent, Siwan 60.31 per cent, Nalanda 58.91 per cent, and Patna 57.93 per cent. Decrease turnout in city Patna was attributed to areas akin to Bankipur, Digha, and Kumhrar.Based on the Election Fee, the state's lowest turnout was 42.6 per cent within the 1951-52 meeting polls, whereas the earlier highest was 62.57 per cent in 2000. The turnout stood at 57.29 per cent in 2020, 56.91 per cent in 2015, and 52.73 per cent in 2010.
Campaigns choose up extra warmth
Because the marketing campaign strikes into its ultimate section, caste and group loyalties proceed to play a decisive position, with Yadavs, Kushwahas, Kurmis, Brahmins, and Dalits shaping outcomes in a number of constituencies.The NDA is banking on chief minister Nitish Kumar's governance report and up to date welfare measures akin to 125 items of free electrical energy, Rs 10,000 money transfers to a couple of crore girls, and a rise in social safety pensions. The opposition countered that voters had been prepared for change. RJD president Lalu Prasad posted on X, “If a roti isn't flipped on a tawa (pan), it will get burnt. Twenty years is a very long time. A Tejashwi authorities is crucial to construct a brand new Bihar.”Throughout marketing campaign occasions for the second section, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the excessive feminine turnout signalled assist for the ruling alliance.“Moms, daughters, and sisters have been the worst victims of ‘jungle raj'. As we speak, they appear to have put up a fortress round polling cubicles to stop the return of ‘jungle raj',” PM Modi mentioned.The polls, performed after the Particular Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls that opposition events criticised for alleged “rigging” and “manipulation”, are being seen as an early indicator of political sentiment forward of 2029.The NDA, which has held energy within the state for twenty years apart from transient intervals, is highlighting its report of “sushasan” (good governance). The opposition INDIA bloc is counting on anti-incumbency and RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav's “jobs-for-every-home” promise to mount its problem. The second and ultimate section will happen on November 11, and the counting shall be held on November 14.
