Bihar sees highest ever turnout at 68.76% in final phase; exit polls predict NDA win

The first phase of polling, held on November 6 across 18 districts, had then set a record of 65.08% voter turnout.

In the two phases, Bihar registered an overall turnout of 66.92%, with the participation level of male and female voters standing at 62.8% and 71.6% respectively. The counting of votes will take place on November 14.

In the 2020 Assembly polls, the state had recorded a turnout of 57.29%.

All the exit polls, which declared their projections Tuesday evening, gave the NDA coalition, led by the BJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), a figure well above the majority mark of 122 in the 243-member House. They predicted that the Opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD and Congress, would get about 100 or even lesser number of seats.

The exit polls projected a dismal show by Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj in its debut, predicting that it would not be able to reach double digits.

While the Dainik Bhaskar poll predicted 145-160 seats for the NDA, 73-91 for the Mahagathbandhan, and 5-7 for others, the Times Now-JVC poll gave 135-150 seats to the NDA, 88-103 to the Mahagathbandhan, and 3-6 seats to others.

The News 18 poll predicted 140-150 seats for the NDA, 85-95 for the Mahagathbandhan and 0-15 seats for others including the Jan Suraaj.

The IANS-Matrize predicted 147-167 seats for the NDA, 70-90 for the Mahagathbandhan and 2-8 for others. The P-Marq poll projected 142-162 seats for the NDA, 80-98 for the Mahagathbandhan and 0-3 for others.

The NDA went into this election under Nitish’s leadership again, while the Mahagathbandhan fought it with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its CM face.

In the second phase, polling was held in 122 constituencies across 20 districts in several regions including Seemanchal, Champaran and Magadh, where the fight between the NDA and the Opposition alliance has traditionally been fierce.

As per the Bihar chief electoral officer (CEO)’s office, in the second phase the Muslim-dominated Seemanchal recorded the highest turnout with an average figure of 75.10%. It was driven by heavy polling in the region’s districts, including Kishanganj (78.06%), Katihar (78.63%), Purnia (76.04%), and Araria (69.68%).

The Champaran region registered a turnout of 70.98%, including Purvi Champaran (70.79%) and Paschim Champaran (71.17%).

The Ang region, comprising Bhagalpur (67.46%), Banka (70.25%), and Jamui (69.66%), logged an average turnout of 69.12%.

The Mithilanchal region saw 67.36% turnout, including Supaul (72.50%), Sheohar (68.74%), Sitamarhi (66.91%), and Madhubani (63.27%).

Magadh recorded the lowest average turnout at 64.21%, followed by Shahabad at 65.15%. These are considered the Mahagathbandhan’s stronghold regions.

In these 122 seats, which are mostly concentrated along Bihar’s borders with Nepal, West Bengal and Jharkhand, the BJP was the leading party in the 2020 polls en route to a narrow NDA majority in the House. The NDA had then bagged 125 seats as against the Mahagathbandhan’s 110, with others getting eight seats.

Poll officials attributed the surge in turnout in this election partly to the deletion of over 68 lakh ineligible names from the electoral rolls during the EC’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which they said improved the accuracy of voter lists. “The refinement of the rolls, coupled with voter awareness initiatives, has likely contributed to higher participation,” an official said.

The EC stated that its various logistical measures also boosted the voters’ participation. To reduce waiting time and crowding, the maximum number of voters per booth was reduced from 1,500 to 1,200, resulting in an expanded polling network.

The poll body said polling remained “peaceful and incident-free” across Bihar in the second phase. About 1,650 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), 50 companies of the Bihar Military Police, and over 42,000 state police personnel were deployed as part of security arrangements across the state.

All 45,399 polling stations were covered by 100% live webcasting, allowing real-time monitoring by the EC control room. The India-Nepal border was sealed 48 hours before polling to prevent any illegal movements.

Additionally, 459 checkpoints were set up across Bihar’s borders with Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Nepal, with strict vehicle and personnel checks.

Bihar Police, already on high alert, further intensified its surveillance in the wake of Monday’s Delhi blast. Drones, mounted units, and boats were used in sensitive and riverine areas, while satellite phones were provided in hilly and remote polling zones. Senior police officials led by the DGP monitored polling from the state police headquarters through the day.