Bihar's Record Voter Turnout: NDA Poised for Victory
Bihar has achieved a remarkable milestone in its democratic process by recording an unprecedented voter turnout of 67.14% in the final phase of its Assembly elections. This is the highest participation rate since 1951, indicating a significant shift in voter engagement across the state. The election took place on a Tuesday, and the turnout was reported by the Chief Electoral Officer, Vinod Gunjiyal, until 5 PM.
According to various exit polls, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], is expected to secure a comfortable victory, surpassing the majority mark of 122 seats in the 243-member Assembly. Predictions indicate that the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan may secure around 100 seats or even less.
In the second phase, polling was conducted in 122 constituencies across 20 districts, particularly in regions known for fierce electoral battles between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. Notably, the Seemanchal region, which has a considerable Muslim population, recorded the highest turnout at 73.77%, driven by districts such as Kishanganj and Katihar.
Other regions like Champaran and Mithilanchal also saw substantial participation, with turnouts of 69.17% and 66.77%, respectively. However, Magadh recorded the lowest turnout at 63.30%, indicating varying levels of voter engagement across the state.
Officials attributed the surge in voter turnout to recent electoral reforms, including the deletion of over 65 lakh ineligible names from the voter rolls. This initiative, along with extensive voter awareness campaigns, likely encouraged more citizens to participate in the election process.
The first phase of polling had already marked a significant increase in turnout, reaching 65.08%, compared to 57.29% in the previous Assembly elections in 2020. With such high participation, Bihar is witnessing a transformation in its electoral landscape.
To ensure a smooth voting process, the Election Commission implemented various logistical improvements. This included reducing the maximum number of voters per booth and deploying a significant security presence to maintain peace during the elections. All polling stations were monitored in real-time, demonstrating the commitment to a transparent electoral process.
As counting of votes is scheduled for November 14, the outcome of these elections will not only shape the political future of Bihar but also reflect the growing engagement of its citizens in the democratic process.
