Bihar Election 2020 Highlights: Over 53 per cent of the total 2.85 crore electors in 94 constituencies of Bihar exercised their franchise till 5 pm in the second phase of voting on Tuesday, according to Election Commission data. The estimated overall turnout at 6 PM is 53.51 per cent (provisional), the poll panel data said. Prominent personalities including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, Tejashwi Yadav, and LJP president Chirag Paswan cast their votes in their respective polling booths in the morning. Polling began at 7 am, but the time for its conclusion has been extended by one hour till 6 pm to facilitate COVID-19 patients and those with symptoms of the disease to exercise their franchise during the final hour. The process, however, concluded early in Maoist-hit areas. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Bihar's Araria district on Tuesday where he said that the voter enthusiasm in Bihar amid the global pandemic demonstrates deep roots of democracy in India. Urging people to vote for the BJP-JD(U) government, he said that now "lawlessness and extortion are losing while development and rule of law are winning in Bihar." The Prime Minister will hold another rally in Saharsa. On the other hand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled to address two rallies today. (Click here to follow our full Bihar election coverage) Meanwhile, Onions were flung towards Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar by some protestors while he was addressing a public meeting in Madhubani for the third phase of the assembly elections. A voter turnout of 55.69% was recorded in the first phase of Bihar assembly polls held on October 28, the Election Commission said in its provisional data. Polling was held 71 assembly constituencies amid tight security and COVID-19 guidelines in place.
