Patna: Voting in the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections concluded on Thursday with a turnout of 60.13%, amid reports of violence, intimidation, technical glitches and several village-wide boycotts.
Polling was held from 7am to 5pm across 121 constituencies in 18 districts, sealing the fate of 1,314 candidates, including two deputy chief ministers and several high-profile political leaders such as Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Samrat Choudhary, Vijay Kumar Sinha and Anant Singh.
According to the Election Commission, Begusarai registered the highest turnout at 67.32%, while Sheikhpura saw the lowest participation at 52.36%. In the state capital, Patna, urban apathy was visible: Kumhrar recorded 39.52%, Digha 39.10% and Bankipur 40%.
Violence and Attacks Across Districts
The day witnessed a series of incidents:
- In Lakhisarai, deputy chief minister Vijay Sinha’s car was attacked during a clash involving RJD MLC Ajay Singh’s supporters.
- In Maner, Patna, RJD candidate Bhai Virendra allegedly threatened a police inspector during a routine ID check.
- In Vaishali, supporters of RJD candidate Ravind Kumar Singh reportedly pelted stones at CAPF personnel.
- In Darbhanga, a polling agent received threats in the Singhwada area, leading to stone-pelting; two people were detained.
- In Saran, CPI candidate Satyendra Kumar’s car was attacked with bricks and stones.
- In Lakhisarai, the SP conducted a march after reports of attempted booth capturing surfaced.
Boycotts Across Multiple Booths
Voter boycotts affected several areas:
Siwan, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur reported boycotts over demands for local infrastructure, including roads and cremation grounds.
In Nalanda, three booths saw zero votes, with residents refusing to vote over the lack of an underpass on NH-20.
Overall, eight booths across three districts recorded boycotts.
EVM Failures and Polling Delays
EVM malfunctions were reported in 10 districts, causing temporary halts. In Lalganj (Vaishali), voters raised slogans alleging attempts at vote theft.
At booth 238 in Patna Sahib, an argument broke out between polling staff and Assembly Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav, though voting resumed normally afterwards.
Naxal-Affected Area Votes After Years
In Munger’s Bhimband village, polling carried on peacefully for the first time in years, an area previously affected by Naxal activity.
Two-Phase Election
Bihar is voting in two phases for 243 seats, with results scheduled for 14 November.
