Patna: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has maintained his lead after the third round of counting in the Bankipur Assembly by-election, one of Bihar’s most closely watched electoral contests. According to the latest figures released by the Election Commission, Kishor is ahead of BJP candidate Neeraj Kumar by 1,162 votes.
The latest trends place Neeraj Kumar in second position, while RJD candidate Rekha Kumari remains third as counting continues.
Third-Round Vote Tally
Election Commission data shows that Prashant Kishor has secured 5,032 votes after the completion of the third round. Neeraj Kumar has received 3,870 votes, while Rekha Kumari has polled 767 votes.
The vote tally after the third round is as follows:
- Prashant Kishor (Jan Suraaj): 5,032 votes
- Neeraj Kumar (BJP): 3,870 votes
- Rekha Kumari (RJD): 767 votes
Lead: Prashant Kishor is ahead by 1,162 votes.
High-Stakes Contest
The Bankipur Assembly seat is regarded as one of Bihar’s most politically significant constituencies and has traditionally been a BJP stronghold. Prashant Kishor’s decision to contest from the seat has made the by-election a closely watched political battle.
Political observers say the result could carry significance ahead of the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections, although they caution against drawing conclusions before the final outcome.
Counting Continues Under Tight Security
Vote counting is underway at AN College in Patna under a three-tier security arrangement put in place by the Election Commission.
Postal ballots were counted first, followed by the counting of votes recorded in electronic voting machines (EVMs). The Election Commission is releasing official figures after each completed round of counting.
Supporters of the major political parties have gathered outside the counting centre. Jan Suraaj workers have expressed optimism after the party retained its lead through three rounds, while BJP supporters remain hopeful of narrowing the gap in the remaining rounds. RJD supporters are also awaiting further updates.
Outcome Still Open
Election analysts note that an early lead does not determine the final result, as several rounds of counting remain.
Election officials have reiterated that the official result will be declared only after the completion of counting across all rounds. Until then, the margin may widen or narrow as additional votes are counted.
