Patna: Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 65.08% in the first phase of its Assembly elections, marking a significant rise compared with previous state and national polls, the Election Commission announced on Saturday.
The state had seen an average turnout of 57.29% during the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections and 56.28% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This year’s figure represents a 7.79% increase from the previous Assembly polls and an 8.8% rise compared with the last general election.
In a press release, the Election Commission confirmed that the scrutiny process across all constituencies in the first phase was successfully completed under the supervision of appointed observers. No re-polling was required, and no adverse reports or irregularities were reported. A total of 83 candidates and 385 election agents participated in the scrutiny, bringing the total number of participants to 468.
All electronic voting machines (EVMs), including ballot units, control units, and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), have been securely sealed and stored in the respective strong rooms under a three-tier security system, with round-the-clock CCTV monitoring. Any defective machines identified during the mock polls have been stored in designated alternate strong rooms, also under strict security, and candidates have been allowed to monitor the arrangements via CCTV.
The Election Commission highlighted the smooth conduct of the first phase voting, with active participation from women, youth, senior citizens, and voters with disabilities. Provisions such as wheelchairs, ramps, and other assistance were provided to ensure accessibility. The EVMs and VVPATs functioned without disruption throughout the day.
Counting of votes is scheduled for November 14. The Commission said that effective webcasting and security measures helped ensure transparency and accountability during the polling process.
