Despite the pandemic, Bihar saw a considerable voter turnout with Phase 1 recording 54% votes –– marginally lower than 54.75 per cent for the same 71 seats in 2015 elections. Similarly, Phase 2 witnessed 55.7% voter turnout as compared to 56.17% recorded last time.
With 7.3 crore voters, the Legislative Assembly election in Bihar this time was shortest Assembly election in 15 years. Polling were held in just three phases, as opposed to five in 2015 and four in 2005. In a state that has always been watched for what its social and political undercurrent signify, Election 2020 is being keenly watched. It is India’s first mass polls in the shadow of the pandemic, and Bihar’s first in a long, long time without either Lalu Prasad or the just deceased Ram Vilas Paswan present. Nitish Kumar, meanwhile, has conceded much ground in his alliance with Narendra Modi’s BJP.
The results will be a signal not just for Modi, NDA’s star campaigner — whatever the noises made about Nitish — but also the Opposition. The result will be seen as a reflection on Modi government’s handling of the pandemic and management of the economy.
Plus, it could be a factor in West Bengal, a state the BJP has set its eyes on and which votes next, in April-May 2021.
With the exit polls for Bihar out, the Congress on Saturday said Bihar has voted for change. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said exit polls are interesting as they provided employment to some people who use small samples, but people speak up at the end.
"We are confident that Bihar has voted for a change and Bihar will vote for the change," he told reporters. "People have spoken in the first two phases; the third phase polling is going on. We are more than confident that Bihar has voted for change," he had earlier said.
monthly limit of free stories.
with an Express account.
Bihar wants a government that gives employment, gives MSP to farmers, ensures new industries come and ensures that education and health, which are on the backburner become the centrepoint of governance and that's why Bihar is voting for change, he said.(PTI)
The India Today Axis Poll has predicted a clear win for the Mahagathbandhan, much ahead of the NDA tally of 91 seats at most.
NDA: 69-91
MGB: 139-161
LJP: 3-5
Others: 3-5
News X-dvresearch has predicted a close contest between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan
NDA: 110-117
MGB: 108-123
LJP: 4-10
Others: 8-23
CNN News 18-Todays Chanakya has predicted a clean win for the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan. The exit poll has predicted 180 seats for the Oppn alliance, much higher than the majority mark of 122, and only 55 seats for the ruling NDA.
NDA: 55
MGB: 180
LJP: 0
Others: 8
The Dainik Bhaskar exit poll is the only one so far to project a clean NDA win at the Bihar election
NDA: 120-127
MGB: 71-81
LJP: 12-23
Others: 19-27
India Today Axis Poll predict: 47% young voters (18-25 years) said they voted for the Mahagathbandhan, while 34% said they voted for the NDA. The pattern changes among those older than 50 years, with 45% of the voters saying they voted for the NDA, and 40% voting for the Mahagathbandhan.
Exit polls released so far have predicted a tight race between the BJP-led NDA and the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan
The India TV Axis Poll has projected that 31-year-old Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD is the most preferred candidate for Bihar's next Chief Minister. Here's how others are placed.
Tejashwi Yadav (RJD): 44%
Nitish Kumar (JD(U): 35%
Chirag Paswan (LJP): 7%
India TV Axis exit polls have projected a clear BJP lead in the Gujarat bypolls.
BJP: 6-7
Congress: 1-2
The Opposition Grand alliance is projected to lead in the Bihar Assembly elections, according to the TV9 Bharatvarsh exit polls
NDA: 110-120
MGB-115-125
Others-13-18
Republic TV-Jan ki Baat predicts a tight race, with the Mahagathbandhan leading
NDA: 91-117
MGB-118-138
LJP-5-8
Others-3-6
India TV exit polls:
NDA: 112
(BJP: 70; JD(U): 42)
Oppn Grand alliance: 110
(RJD: 85; Congress: 25)
Times Now-CVoter prediction for Bihar elections
NDA--116
MGB--120
LJP--1
Others--6
According to the India Today Axis poll, BJP is likely to bag 16-18 seats in the Madhya Pradesh bypolls, ahead of Congress (10-12), and BSP (0-1).
55.22% voter turnout recorded till 5 pm in the third and last phase of Bihar assembly elections: Election Commission of India
Hoping to return to power in Bihar, the NDA is facing its toughest contest in 78 constituencies that voted on Saturday, including Seemanchal (Kishanganj, Araria, Katihar and Purnea), Kosi (Supaul, Saharsa and Madhepura), Mithila (Darbhanga and Madhuvani), and Tirhut (Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi) regions of the state.
While the RJD-led Grand Alliance has a clear advantage in the Seemanchal belt, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM, which is contesting 16 of its 20 seats in this phase, may cut into its vote base and even register wins.
The first elections held in the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bihar Assembly election is being seen as a referendum on three-time Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose JD(U) in alliance with the BJP-led NDA. In the 2015 election, the JD(U) was part of the Mahagathbandhan. The ruling NDA alliance faces a stiff challenge from the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance). Meanwhile, Chirag Paswan’s LJP has decided to go alone in the elections, fighting against the JD(U). However, it has been consistent on continuing to be part of the BJP-led NDA at the Centre.
The third phase polling for the 243-member Bihar Assembly ended at 6 pm. All eyes will be now on the exit polls. Findings of various exit poll surveys for the first major election in the country amid the pandemic will start trickling in after 6.30 pm. Stay tuned!