State sees highest-ever turnout since 1951 as 66.91% voters cast their ballots

Bihar saw two major milestones this Assembly election:

✅ 66.91% voter turnout overall; Highest since 1st Bihar elections in 1951

✅ Bihar records highest female voter turnout in its history

Detailed break up below:

Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad on Tuesday resigned from the party citing differences with local leadership in Bihar.

A former Union minister of state for home and a former AICC general secretary, Ahmad sent his resignation to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

He said he continues to believe in the Congress ideology, and would not be joining any party.

Ahmad's resignation comes on the day of the second phase of polling in Bihar, where he hails from. — PTI

As Exit Polls show upperhand to the NDA, Congress leader Tariq Anwar says, "I don't believe in exit polls. The main issues in Bihar are unemployment, migration, corruption, and health. People have voted based on these issues. We have assured the youth of employment, so the youth wave was in favour of the Mahagathbandhan."

Watch as he speaks to the PTI here:

On Bihar elections, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, "The Mahagathbandhan has already accepted defeat. Who will vote for those who say long live the mafia? There is support from women. There has been a big change."

Listen in to what he has to say here:

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday demonstrated that he was neither tired nor in a mood to retire as he turned up at the JD(U)'s war room in Patna to take stock of the final phase of the assembly polls that were underway.

The JD(U) president, who has been in the seat of power longer than any of his predecessors, reached the party office shortly after a meeting with Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan', one of his most trusted aides.

The 75-year-old is understood to have been buoyed by reports that his party, which had suffered a setback in the 2020 assembly polls, was poised for a better-than-expected performance this time. — PTI

Bihar in the second phase of its 2025 Assembly elections recorded the highest voter participation in its history with 67.14% voters turning up the booths till 5 pm, the Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar notified on Tuesday.

Here is a breakdown of the district-wise data:

Paschim Champaran – 69.02

Purvi Champaran – 69.31

Sheohar – 67.31

Sitamarhi – 65.29

Madhubani – 61.79

Supaul – 70.69

Araria – 67.79

Kishanganj – 76.26

Purnia – 73.79

Katihar – 75.23

Bhagalpur – 66.03

Banka – 68.91

Kaimur (Bhabhua) – 67.22

Rohtas – 60.69

Arwal – 63.06

Jahanabad – 64.36

Aurangabad – 64.48

Gaya – 67.50

Nawada – 57.11

Jamui – 67.81

The BJP on Tuesday lodged a formal complaint against the RJD, accusing it of violating the election Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and other legal provisions through a social media post amidst the second phase of Bihar polls.

In its written complaint to the chief electoral officer, the BJP alleged that the RJD's post amounted to "deliberate attempts to manipulate voter perception on the day of polling," saying such actions "strike at the root of democracy." Earlier in the day, the RJD had posted on its Facebook page that workers of the BJP and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) were not facilitating votes for the Janata Dal (United) and vice versa, adding that none of the leaders of the three parties had denied the claim. — PTI

Congress Legislature Party leader and candidate from Kadwa Assembly constituency Shakeel Ahmad Khan said, "The current will go and a new government will be formed with Tejashwi Yadav as its CM. Mahagathbandhan will gain seats and secure more than the required number to form the government."

He added, "BJP will not be able to overtake because the people of Bihar have been struggling with unemployment, migration and economic slowdown for the last 20 years. There is systematic corruption in the state..."

RJD leader and INDIA bloc's chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday said that through the "record voting" in the first phase of Bihar elections, people have given a direct message that they want "result" and not "jumla (hollow rhetoric)".

Claiming that the administration may slow down the pace of the polls at several places, he urged people not to step back from voting queues without exercising their franchise. — PTI

Congress legislative party leader in Bihar Shakeel Ahmed Khan on Tuesday charged AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi with "wittingly or unwittingly" helping the BJP in the Hindi heartland, claiming that people have "seen through" the Hyderabad MP.

Khan, who is aiming at a hat-trick from the Kadwa assembly seat in Katihar district, spoke to PTI-Video while polling was underway in his constituency.

"I feel the political approach of Owaisi is basically flawed. India is a pluralist society, and the Mahagathbandhan is committed to ensuring that the same is reflected in politics. But what has Owaisi been doing? He is seen as a 'vote katwa' (spoiler)," he said. — PTI

On the second phase of Bihar Assembly Election2025, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi told the media, "We are hopeful that in the second phase too, the voting will not be less than around 65-66%. Around 80 of the 120 NDA candidates will win. As per the information, as of 2 pm, the voter turnout is more than 70%."

Watch the video here

In an innovative effort to encourage voter participation, cultural troupes performed Bihar's traditional folk and tribal dances outside a polling booth in Purnea district on Tuesday.

Voting is underway for 122 constituencies in Bihar in the second and final phase of the high-stakes assembly polls amid tight security arrangements.

At a model polling station in Kala Bhawan, the dance troupes welcomed voters by performing folk and tribal dance. They also offered roses with an appeal to use their right to vote. — PTI

During the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls in Budgam, District Magistrate Bilal M Bhat, said that the voting percentage was "really good," after paying a visit to around 10-15 polling booths.

"Voting percentage is really good... I visited 10-15 polling stations. I have seen people coming out in large numbers to cast their vote."

"We have ensured Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) at all polling stations - wheelchairs, ramps, drinking water, and electricity. Booth awareness groups are present at polling stations. They are facilitating people and I am expecting a good percentage of turnout for this by-election. Security arrangements are in place...." Bhat reported. (ANI)

Janata Dal (United) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad Tuesday deplored rumours on social media that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had met top leaders of the RJD at his residence for a clandestine deal, news agency PTI reported.

"We deplore the rumours being spread by the opposition INDIA bloc, which are aimed at creating confusion in the minds of voters who are voting for the NDA in large numbers," Prasad told PTI.

"The false narrative the opposition has sought to build, through rumour mongering, is extremely shameful and unfortunate and demonstrates their desperation. They are staring at defeat. We would urge the people to vote, in the second phase, in even greater numbers and foil the opposition's mischief," he added. (PTI)

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Tuesday demonstrated that he was neither tired nor in a mood to retire as he turned up at the JD(U)'s war room in Patna to take stock of the final phase of the assembly polls that were underway, news agency PTI reported.

Kumar, who has of late been avoiding interaction with the media, did not respond to questions about the high turnout of women in the first phase, a trend which appears to continue in the second and is expected to be to his advantage as the CM's welfare measures are said to have made him immensely popular with the female population, the report stated.

Kumar walked briskly, accompanied by his close cabinet colleague Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, who struggled to keep pace. (PTI)

Champaran Range DIG Har Kishore Rai arrived on a horseback to inspect polling booths in Motihari as voting for second phase of Bihar Assembly elections continued on Tuesday.

Watch here:

Hundreds of women queue up to cast votes at a polling booth in Bihar's Supaul during the second phase of polling in the state Assembly elections 2025, as per visuals shared by news agency PTI.

Janata Dal (United)'s acting president Sanjay Jha, Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Purnea MP Pappu Yadav and state Congress chief Rajesh Ram -- leaders from across party lines cast their votes during the second phase of the Bihar elections on Tuesday.

State Industries Minister Nitish Mishra, BJP's Jamui candidate Shreyashi Singh and Independent nominee Jyoti Singh, who is the wife of Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh, also cast their votes.

BJP leader Shahnwaz Hussain and Congress MLA Ajeet Sharma, too, voted in their respective booths. (PTI)

Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan, speaking to PTI, complained about the inadequate lighting at a polling booth in Bihar's Katihar,

He said, "In a democracy, institutions are given autonomy so that they can remain impartial; however under the central government, the Election Commission is acting partially. Even in my own constituency, there is no proper lighting in the polling booths... We have raised the question of how polling can take place in such booths without adequate light." (PTI)

Polling Trends for Bye Elections across six states and one UT at 1 pm:

1. Punjab : 36.62 %

2. J&K : 42.07 %

3. Jharkhand : 54.08 %

4. Mizoram : 56.35 %

5. Odisha : 51.42 %

6. Rajasthan : 47.77 %

7. Telengana: 31.94 %

The voter turnout in the final and second phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections, was recorded to be 47.62 per cent, as of 1 pm on Tuesday — slightly over 42.31 per cent in Phase 1 of polling held on November 6.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashwini Kumar Choubey, speaking to news agency ANI on the second and final phase of Bihar Assembly polls on Tuesday, affirmed the majority of the votes in the elections are going to be for the NDA.

He said, "I want to appeal to all the people of Bihar that this is a great festival of democracy, celebrate this great festival with great joy. From the morning, people have been standing in queues... I feel that voting is happening in favour of the NDA..."

"Everyone is voting in the name of development, in the name of making a developed Bihar, under the guidance of the NDA government, CM Nitish Kumar, and PM Modi... We are getting more than 180 seats, which will go up to 200," he added. (ANI)

Odisha Chief Electoral Officer, R S Gopalan, addressing reporters on Tuesday, said that the one presiding officer was suspended for violating the secrecy of voting in Nuapada, news agency ANI reported.

"One Presiding Officer was suspended by the DEO for violating the secrecy of voting. He failed to protect the secrecy of voting. An old lady came to vote and her companion was with her. The person who accompanied her voted, instead of the lady. The lady was prevented from voting and the person accompanied voted. The Presiding Officer did not stop that. So, he was suspended...," Gopalan told ANI.

He also informed the reporters about malfunction of a few EVMs, following which they were replaced at the respective booths.

He said, "During mock poll, some machines malfunctioned and they were replaced. Three ballot units and three controlling units were replaced. Subsequently, in one booth, the EVM malfunctioned again. So, that was replaced...Voting is very peaceful. There is no law and order issue anywhere. We are monitoring through CCTV from here and from the district administration HQ also and from ECI also..." (ANI)

Following a car blast outside Delhi's Red Fort metro station, Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar, speaking to reporters, said, "The Police is alert following the incident that occurred in Delhi yesterday, to ensure no such incident happens in Bihar."

"The international border along Bihar has been sealed for the past 72 hours in view of the elections. Joint patrolling by state police forces is being done along the interstate borders," he said. (ANI)

As voting continued in Mizoram's Dampa, Odisha's Nuapada, and Punjab's Tarn Taran Assembly seats on Tuesday, the voter turnouts were recorded to be 34.38%, 32.51% and 23.35% in these constituencies, respectively, the ECI website noted.

Rashtriya Janata Dak (RJD) MP Manoj Jha, speaking on the second phase of Bihar elections being held on Tuesday, said, “It’s quite evident that Prime Minister Modi, the Home Minister, and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister are trying hard to change the narrative...," news agency PTI reported.

"Tejashwi Yadav has been focusing on issues like employment and social security. The first phase has signalled that change, and I can see that change taking shape," he told PTI.

The voter turnout at Telangana's Jubilee Hills Assembly polls were recorded to be 20.76 per cent, as of 11 am, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI) website.

Congress MLA and candidate Ajit Sharma, along with his family, casts his vote in Bihar's Bhagalpur, news agency PTI reported.

The voter turnout in Ghatshila Assembly bypolls being held in Jharkhand was recorded to be 34.32 per cent, as of 11 am, according to the ECI data.

About 34.47 per cent voting was recorded in the early hours of polling till 11 am for the bye-elections in the Nagrota assembly constituency in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, according to the ECI website.

Over 21 per cent voting was recorded in the early hours of polling for the bye-elections in the Budgam assembly constituency in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, according to the ECI website.

Polling began at 7 am in bone chilling cold as the valley witnessed sub-zero night temperatures at most places, news agency PTI reported.

Till 9 am, Budgam had recorded a polling percentage of 9.36 per cent, the officials told PTI.

Voting for the Anta Assembly bypoll in Rajasthan's Baran district began on Tuesday morning amid tight security, with a voter turnout of 28.74 per cent recorded till 11 am, according to the ECI website.

Polling, which began at 7 am, is taking place across 268 polling stations and will continue till 6 pm.

"The voting is underway peacefully. All necessary arrangements have been ensured at polling centres," an election official said.

A total of 2,28,264 voters -- including 1,16,783 men and 1,11,477 women -- are eligible to cast their votes in the bypoll. Counting of votes will be held on November 14

The bypoll was necessitated after BJP MLA Kanwar Lal Meena was disqualified following his conviction in a criminal case. Fifteen candidates are in the fray, with the contest primarily seen between BJP's Morpal Suman and Congress candidate and former minister Pramod Jain Bhaya, news agency PTI reported.

The voter turnout in the final and second phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections, was recorded to be 31.38 per cent, as of 11 am on Tuesday, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI) website.

Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor Tuesday arrived to cast his vote at a polling booth in Bihar's Rohtas.

Speaking to reporters, Kishor said, “People across the state are voting, and I too have come to fulfil my responsibility," news agency PTI reported.

As voting for the second phase of Bihar polls continues, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Tuesday urged all the voters to come out and exercise their franchise in initiating a change in the state.

In a post on X, he described Bihar as the birthplace of democracy and said the state has suffered for the last 20 years due to an "opportunistic", "corrupt" and "anti-poor" government and time has come for a change now.

"Bihar, the birthplace of democracy, has demonstrated in the first phase how enthusiastic its voters are for change. Today, in the second phase of voting, I urge you to cast your vote and encourage your relatives, friends, and neighbours to do the same," he wrote in his post.

"I urge every citizen to vote today, especially young people who are voting for the first time to join in this celebration of change," he added.

Noting that Bihar needs a 'model' of economic development, social justice, and equality, Kharge said, "For 20 years, Bihar has suffered under an opportunistic, corrupt, and anti-poor and deprived government. Today is the time for change."

The Congress chief said the time has come to provide justice to Dalits, Mahadalits, backward, extremely backward, economically weaker sections, and minority communities.

"Youth have the opportunity to secure jobs, women security, farmers their rights, and begin a new chapter of public welfare for all," he wrote.

A minor clash took place between supporters of different political parties near a booth in Warisaliganj area in Bihar's Nawada district during the final phase of voting on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported.

Speaking to PTI, Nawada Superintendent of Police Abhinav Dhiman said, "A minor clash took place between supporters of different political parties around 1.5 km away from the polling booth. Officials concerned and security personnel are at the spot and they are looking into the matter. The situation in the area is completely under control and voting is underway smoothly."

He said that rumours that a government vehicle engaged in poll duty has been damaged are completely baseless and claimed that the damaged vehicle is a private one and has nothing to do with poll duty.

A video purportedly showing the clash has gone viral on social media. In the video, a person was heard saying that he was beaten by his opponents for not casting a vote in favour of a particular party. PTI, however, could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. (PTI)

Bihar will vote in the second phase of Assembly elections today (Tuesday, November 11). Nearly 3.7 crore people will cast their vote and put a seal of approval on who rules the state for the next five years.

Which seats are going to poll on Tuesday in second phase

The 122 Bihar Assembly constituencies going to poll on Tuesday, November 11 include Katihar, which will test the political fortunes of former deputy CM Tara Kishore Prasad and Jamui, where Commonwealth Games shooter and BJP MLA Shreyasi Singh will contest the polls.

How to find polling booth in Bihar?

Find out here.

People queued up at Booth No. 2 as voting is underway for the Ghatshila Assembly bypoll in Jharkhand, as per visuals shared by PTI.

Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha Tuesday casts vote in Bihar's Madhubani city, news agency PTI reported.

Speaking to reporters, Jha said, "I am seeing a very large number of women coming out to cast their votes. That's a big sign for Bihar. I believe the good governance and peace that the people of the state have experienced is something they want to continue."

Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal Tuesday casts his vote in Kishanganj, news agency PTI reported.

He told the reporters, “Since morning, I have been in touch with almost all NDA candidates. At every polling booth, there are long queues of voters, especially women, showing great enthusiasm. There is a festive atmosphere, and people are voting in the name of development brought under the leadership of Narendra Modi ji and Nitish Kumar ji.” (PTI)

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren urged the electors to participate actively in the festival of democracy.

"I urge all you residents of Ghatshila to actively participate in this grand festival of democracy and also encourage the people around you to vote. Today, Ghatshila will once again cast its votes in large numbers to secure its rights and entitlements," Soren posted on X.

The CM also appealed to JMM workers to remain vigilant.

"I appeal to the dedicated soldiers of the JMM family to remain vigilant while fulfilling their duties. I also extend my heartfelt best wishes to all the officials participating in the voting process," he added.

A presiding election officer, identified as Dhananjay Mallick, posted at Kuliabandh Government School in Odisha's Nuapada bypoll, was placed under suspension on the charge of failing to maintain the secrecy of voting, news agency PTI reported.

"We found through webcasting that one attendant cast a vote for another person at the booth and walked away. The presiding officer did not object to it. Therefore, he was suspended and removed from the booth," Odisha CEO R S Gopalan said.

Meanwhile, though there was a disruption in voting for some time at the Mongarapali polling station at Khariar Road due to a technical glitch, it was immediately rectified, an official said. (PTI)

A total of 14.99 per cent of the 2.53 lakh electors exercised their franchise in the first two hours of voting in the bypoll to Nuapada assembly seat in Odisha on Tuesday, an official told news agency PTI.

Voting began at 7 am in all 358 polling booths, including 47 sensitive ones, amid tight security arrangements, the report stated.

While polling will end at 5 pm in 311 polling booths, it will conclude at 4 pm in 47 sensitive ones, including those in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas.

"Voting is your right, every vote is valuable. Let us participate in the Nuapada by-election and vote in large numbers," Patnaik said.

Of the 14 contestants, the key candidates are the BJD's Snehangini Chhuria, BJP's Jay Dholakia, Congress' Ghasiram Majhi, and Ramakanta Hati of the Samajwadi Party.

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia on September 8. The BJP nominee is the son of the deceased.

Apart from Odisha Police personnel, 14 companies of the central armed police force (CAPF) have been deployed across Nuapada to ensure the smooth voting, Nuapada Superintendent of Police Amritpal Singh said. (PTI)

Over nine per cent voting was recorded in the first two hours of polling for the bye-elections in the Budgam assembly constituency in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials told news agency PTI.

Polling began at 7 am in bone chilling cold as the valley witnessed sub-zero night temperatures at most places.

Till 9 am, Budgam recorded a polling percentage of 9.36 per cent, they said. (PTI)

A total of 18.38 per cent of over 20,000 voters exercised their franchise till 9 am in the by-election to Dampa assembly seat in Mizoram on Tuesday, an official told news agency PTI.

Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Lalrozama said polling began at 7 am in all 41 polling stations in the assembly segment in Mamit district, which shares borders with Bangladesh and Tripura. (PTI)

Over 17 per cent of 2.56 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 9 am on Tuesday in the by-election to Ghatshila assembly seat in Jharkhand, an official told news agency PTI.

Polling is underway peacefully in 300 polling stations across the constituency, and a 17.33 per cent turnout was recorded in the first two hours of voting, he said.

"Voting is underway peacefully in all booths of Ghatshila constituency," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar said.

The by-election was necessitated following the death of JMM MLA and former education minister Ramdas Soren on August 15.

Long queues of voters, especially women, were seen outside the polling booths across the constituency. Voting will continue till 5 pm.

Over 2.56 lakh voters, including 1.31 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise in the by-election. A total of 13 candidates are in the fray.

The main contest is likely to be between Somesh Chandra Soren of the ruling JMM and the BJP's Babulal Soren, son of former chief minister Champai Soren.

Somesh Chandra is the son of JMM MLA Ramdas Soren.

Strict security arrangements have been made, the CEO said. "CCTV cameras have been installed at all polling stations. They are being monitored through webcasting," he said. (PTI)

Specially-abled voter Reeta cast her vote at Government Primary School in Bodh Gaya's Mastipur, as per a visual shared by PTI.

State-level election control room was set up at the CEO office in Patna to monitor polling activities across Bihar, news agency PTI reported.

A voter turnout of 11 percent was recorded in the first two hours of polling in the Tarn Taran assembly bypoll in Punjab on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported.

Following a clash between JSP supporters and BJP workers in Warisaliganj constituency early on Tuesday, Deputy Superintendent of Police Nishu Mallick said, “We are camping here in the Warisaliganj constituency. We received instructions from senior officers, and everything is peaceful here. We will continue to camp in the area.”

Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha, speaking to news agency PTI, said, "The voting process for the second phase has begun, and the reports coming in from everywhere are very encouraging for us and for our NDA leaders."

"The public is voting for the NDA even more than we had expected. People from all sections of society are voting in favour of the NDA, and especially among women, there is tremendous enthusiasm for the NDA. So this is very good news for us, for the NDA," he told PTI.

The voter turnout in the final and second phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections, was recorded to be 14.55 per cent, as of 9 am on Tuesday — slightly more than the 13.13% turnout recorded in the first phase on November 6 by this time.

Polling began early today across 122 seats in Bihar, including Mithila, Kosi belt, western Bihar, Magadh, Angika and Seemanchal regions. The polling is taking place amid heavy security at the booths across Bihar, following the blast outside New Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday.

In the first phase of polls held on November 6, the voter turnout touched 64.66%, a jump from the 57.29% recorded in the 2020 Assembly elections, as 121 constituencies across 18 districts went to the polls. Counting of votes will take place on November 14.

A clash broke out between the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) supporters and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in the Barbigha area of Warisaliganj constituency on Tuesday, as polling for the second phase of Bihar Assembly elections is underway across 122 constituencies, news agency PTI reported.

Visuals show a vandalised car at the spot.

Speaking on the voting in the second phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, Bihar minister and national president of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) Santosh Kumar Suman told ANI, "We appeal to people to participate in democracy and choose such a government that can give you peace, and take Bihar forward. Record-breaking voting took place under the first phase of the elections and this time too, voting of the same kind should happen... The impact of the work done by the government is being seen..." (ANI)

Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor appealed to the voters to "break the record voter turnout" in the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections 2025.

"I appeal to the people of Bihar to break the record turnout of the last phase today. Vote for change in Bihar. Vote for your children's education and employment. Vote in even greater numbers than you did in the first phase so that a new system is created in Bihar on 14th November. A system that provides education and employment for your children. If you make a mistake today, if you miss it today, you will have to spend the next five years with the same system that plagues you, the corruption that troubles you. I am going to vote today," Kishor told the voters via news agency ANI.

Prashant Kishor represents not only a new party in Bihar, giving sleepless moments to the NDA led by Nitish Kumar or the Mahagathbandhan helmed by Tejashwi Yadav, he is a reminder of the political space that existed in the state — and probably elsewhere — that was there for the taking for the Congress had it put in the mehnat (hard work) to revive itself organisationally.

Instead, it was the Jan Suraaj founder whose efforts helped the new outfit emerge as the third pole in Bihar. The Jan Suraaj fielded candidates in all 243 seats within a year of being created (later, three withdrew their nomination, and that of one was rejected).

“I am occupying the space of those seeking a change in the status quo,” Kishor told The Indian Express during one of his recent roadshows before campaigning drew to a close on November 9.

Can PK play the long game in Bihar politics? Find out in our Neerja Chowdhury column here.

The Bihar Police on Monday night issued a statewide security advisory following the explosion in a car in Delhi, near the Red Fort Metro Station, that left eight people dead and many injured.

In an official communication by the Bihar Deputy Inspector General (ATS), all Senior Superintendents of Police (SSP) and Superintendents of Police (SP) have been directed to maintain heightened vigilance.

The circular instructed district police chiefs to conduct intensive checking across religious and tourist sites, crowded markets, administrative buildings, military cantonments, and all transportation hubs such as bus terminals, railway and metro stations.

The directive also called for ensuring CCTV functionality and 24-hour monitoring, strengthening border and sensitive checkpoints, and maintaining close coordination among all security agencies.

Read the full story here.

CISF Assistant Commandant Rushikesh Wakhare, speaking to ANI, asserted that the security in Bihar has been put on high alert, following the blast outside Red Fort in New Delhi on Monday.

"Following the incident in Delhi yesterday, the security is on high alert. Similarly, regarding elections, we have been given instructions that all officers have to be on the ground and visit all locations and polling booths. We also have to do anti-sabotage checks. In a democracy, elections are of prime importance...," the Commandant present at the Bhagalpur polling site said.

Janata Dal (United) leader Umesh Singh Kushwaha Tuesday appealed to the voters of the 122 constituencies, which are participating in the polling to vote in large numbers.

"I appeal to the voters of the 122 districts to come out and vote in large numbers for justice and development. Give pace to the double-engine government of Bihar and secure the future of your children...," Kushwaha urged, as he spoke to ANI.

Independent candidate from the Karakat Assembly constituency, Jyoti Singh, speaking to ANI apologised for not being able to reach out to various places during her poll campaign, and confirmed the support of the public for her.

"I apologise to the public as I could not reach many places...I request the public's support in giving me the opportunity to serve them...The public has already made up their mind to make me victorious as I am receiving a lot of support from them...," Singh said.

(ANI)

Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) spokesperson Vivek Kumar, speaking to ANI, said, "...This time the people of Bihar have an alternative and in the first phase of elections, the people of Bihar voted in large numbers."

"This is a celebration of democracy and the voting percentage will be even higher than the first phase of elections...," he told the news agency.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sanjay Jaiswal Tuesday cast his vote at a polling booth in Bihar's Bettiah city, news agency ANI reported.

He reached the polling booth along with his family to register his vote in the Phase 2 of Bihar Assembly elections.

The polling for the final and second phase of the Bihar Assembly Election has begun across 122 seats in Bihar, including Mithila, Kosi belt, western Bihar, Magadh, Angika and Seemanchal regions.

With Seemanchal recording a trend of higher voting in the past, all eyes will be on whether the region will also witness a similar turnout this year.

Counting of votes will take place on November 14.

Welcome to our live blog. Please follow here for the latest updates from the second phase of Bihar Assembly elections today!