A total of 1,302 candidates, including 12 sitting ministers, are in the fray across seats where nearly 37 million voters were eligible to cast their ballots at 45,399 polling stations. The Election Commission had declared 4,109 booths as sensitive, where voting concluded between 4 PM and 5 PM due to security considerations, while regular polling continued until 6 PM elsewhere.
Detailed Voter Turnout Analysis (3 PM Data)
Top 5 Districts by Turnout:
1. Kishanganj: 66.10% (consistently led throughout the day)
2. Purnia: 64.22%
3. Katihar: 63.80%
4. Araria: 62.45%
5. Gaya: 61.95%
Bottom 5 Districts by Turnout:
1. Nawada: 53.17%
2. Madhubani: 55.33%
3. Bhagalpur: 56.28%
4. Rohtas: 57.15%
5. Jehanabad: 57.89%
Comparative Context: The turnout marked a significant increase from the 53.77% recorded at 3 PM during the first phase held on November 6. The final turnout for Phase 1 eventually reached 64.66%, setting a historic precedent that Phase 2 appears poised to challenge.
Key Incidents During Polling
1. Political Clashes and Violence:
- Araria: Supporters of BJP candidate Vidyasagar Kesri and Congress candidate Manoj Vishwas clashed violently at Booth 198 of Forbesganj College. The confrontation began over disputes regarding party flags and stickers on vehicles, escalating to stone-pelting before security forces intervened.
- Jamui: A major clash erupted in Jhundo village between two communities at Booths 381-382 after allegations surfaced that a polling officer accepted money. Villagers attempted to hold the officer hostage, triggering violence that left one youth, Vishal Kumar, injured and several houses damaged.
- Jehanabad: Four people were injured in a clash at Booth 220, though police quickly restored order.
2. EVM Malfunctions and Delays:
- Jamalpur (Chakai, Jamui): Voting at Booth 145 began at 11 AM after a four-hour EVM malfunction.
- Banka: A temporary EVM failure at Booth 345 led to long voter queues in Chandan block.
- Katoria (Banka): Voting delayed by 1.5 hours due to EVM failure at Booth 76.
- Obra (Aurangabad): Voting began 40 minutes late at a booth in Daudnagar due to technical issues.
3. Security and Administrative Actions:
- Raxaul: Tight security checks were implemented along the Nepal border to prevent cross-border interference.
- Sheohar: Thirteen people were taken into custody over allegations of irregularities at various polling stations.
- Motihari: Multiple incidents of fake voting attempts were reported, with individuals caught trying to cast fraudulent votes under others' identities.
Political Reactions and Statements
NDA Leaders:
- Jitan Ram Manjhi (Union Minister): "This is the strength of India's democracy. We have consistently supported the NDA. Out of the 122 seats, at least 80 of our candidates will win. Even here, more than half of the votes have gone to the NDA."
- Ram Kripal Yadav (BJP candidate from Danapur): "The previous phase was peaceful, and this one will be as well. There will be record voting this time too. Even if the RJD manages to win 20-25 seats, that would be a lot for them."
Opposition Voices:
- Tejashwi Yadav (RJD leader): Expressed joy over Bihar's high voter turnout, calling it a "proud moment as people from all walks of life actively participated in the festival of democracy." He urged voters to maintain this spirit, stating that "one vote determines Bihar's strength, peace, and prosperity."
- Prashant Kishor: The political strategist, who voted in his ancestral village in Rohtas, praised Bihar voters for the record turnout and urged them to "cast every vote to end corruption and stop migration."
Human Interest Stories
Elderly Voters Show the Way:
- In Kaimur's Mohania constituency, a 110-year-old woman was carried on a cot to Booth 180 of Utkramit Madhya Vidyalaya to cast her vote.
- Nasima Khatun, 111, voted in Supaul's Chhatapur constituency, describing it as her fundamental duty.
- Amala Khatoon, 105, cast her vote at Booth 351 of Mission School in Nawada, where she was welcomed with a rose flower.
Dedication Against Odds:
- In Bhagalpur's Diara area, voters risked their lives by crossing the Ganga by boat from Athgama in Narayanpur to reach the Middle School Chauhdi polling station.
- Voters in Kishanganj waded through waist-deep water to reach their polling stations, demonstrating extraordinary commitment to democratic participation.
First-Time Voters:
- At the Sheohar Project Girls' Centre in the Sheohar Assembly constituency, two sisters cast their votes for the first time, with visible excitement and enthusiasm.
Election Commission Monitoring
The Election Commission maintained rigorous oversight from its Patna office, monitoring the entire polling process through webcasting and other technological interventions. Special attention was given to sensitive booths, with authorities taking prompt action where necessary:
- Sitamarhi: An FIR was registered against Gautam Kumar, the polling agent of JDU candidate Pankaj Kumar, for allegedly hiding a candidate pamphlet beneath the voter list to influence voters.
- Mokama: Officials were replaced for "negligence" following the murder of a party supporter earlier in the polling process.
Looking Ahead
With polling now complete in all 243 constituencies across both phases, political attention shifts to the vote counting scheduled for November 14. Exit polls will be released after 6:30 PM today, though historical inaccuracies in Bihar exit polls (particularly in 2020 when most predicted a Mahagathbandhan victory despite NDA's eventual win) suggest caution in interpreting early projections.
The record turnout in both phases indicates heightened voter engagement in what has become a crucial battle between the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc, with outcomes poised to significantly impact Bihar's developmental trajectory and national political equations.
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