Patna: Voting in the Bankipur Assembly by-election continued on Thursday, with 20.01 per cent voter turnout recorded by 1 PM, according to election officials. Polling began at 7 AM and is scheduled to continue until the designated closing time.
A total of 379,616 eligible voters are casting their ballots to decide the fate of 25 candidates. The contest is primarily seen as a three-cornered race between BJP candidate Neeraj Sinha, representing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), RJD’s Rekha Gupta, representing the Mahagathbandhan, and Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor.
Turnout Reaches 20.01% By Afternoon
Election officials said voter participation stood at 20.01 per cent by 1 PM. Polling has remained largely peaceful, with voters turning out across polling stations in the constituency.
Officials are expected to release updated turnout figures as voting progresses through the day.
Neeraj Sinha Expresses Confidence
BJP candidate Neeraj Sinha cast his vote at Dayanand Kanya Vidyalaya in Mithapur. Speaking to reporters, he appealed to residents to participate in what he described as the “grand festival of democracy” by exercising their franchise.
Sinha said development remained the central issue in the election and expressed confidence that the BJP would retain the seat. He also said Bankipur had always been his political stronghold and that he would spend the day meeting party workers and supporters.
Before casting his vote, Sinha urged all eligible voters, including women, senior citizens and first-time voters, to visit polling stations and help increase voter turnout.
RJD Alleges Model Code Violations
Amid polling, RJD candidate Rekha Gupta alleged that the Model Code of Conduct had been violated at certain polling booths. Details of the alleged violations were not immediately available, and there was no immediate response from election authorities regarding the claims.
The Election Commission continues to monitor polling across the constituency as voting remains underway.
