Patna/New Delhi: The people of Bihar are anxiously awaiting the counting of votes from the recent Assembly elections, which will determine if JD-U leader Nitish Kumar, the state’s longest-serving chief minister, will secure a record fifth term or if a government change will occur. Bihar witnessed a historic voter turnout of 67.13 percent in the elections for the 243-member Assembly held in two phases on November 6 and 11. Vote counting will commence at 8 am, with trends and results expected to emerge by 9 am. The Election Commission has established 46 counting centers across 38 districts in the state. Approximately 7.45 crore voters were entitled to influence the electoral outcomes for 2,616 candidates.
According to a statement from the EC on Wednesday, the EVMs and VVPATs utilized in the elections have been secured in strong rooms with a double-lock system. “The entire process will be recorded on video in the presence of Central observers and candidates’ agents,” the statement noted. Counting centers are under two-tier security, with Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPFs) assigned to the inner tier and state police stationed at the outer tier. Additionally, 24/7 CCTV surveillance and other security measures are in place. Each strong room complex has a control room staffed by senior district officials, and all district election officers and returning officers are instructed to conduct regular inspections of the strong rooms.
Exit polls have largely forecast a decisive victory for the NDA, which includes the JD-U, much to the opposition INDIA bloc’s discontent. Tejashwi Yadav, the young RJD leader designated as the chief ministerial candidate for the Opposition coalition, dismissed these forecasts and asserted that the Mahagathbandhan will secure a substantial majority. The NDA in Bihar consists of five parties, with the JD-U and BJP contesting the majority of seats in the 243-member Assembly, each fielding candidates in 101 constituencies. The INDIA bloc comprises the RJD, Congress, CPI(ML) Liberation, various Left parties, and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP).
Key candidates from both alliances include Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers Samart Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, JJD’s Tej Pratap, and Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar.