Patna: Polling personnel across Bihar fanned out to their assigned booths on Wednesday as dispatch centres handed over EVMs, VVPATs, ink, ballot boxes and other essential material ahead of the first phase of the 2025 Assembly election, which will see voting on 121 constituencies across 18 districts on Thursday.
Patna dispatch centre sends out teams
In Patna’s Bankipur area, polling teams for all 14 Assembly segments were flagged off from a control room set up at a government school. Long queues formed through the morning as staff collected their EVMs and documents before departing with security escorts for their respective booths.
Each constituency had a dedicated desk and officers overseeing distribution. CCTV cameras monitored movement throughout the day, while senior administrative officials inspected arrangements on site.
EVM and VVPAT checks before departure
Before dispatch, technical teams conducted final checks on all EVMs and VVPAT machines. Each device was sealed under the supervision of the returning officer before being loaded into vehicles. Security personnel accompanied every polling team to ensure safe transport.
Heavy security deployment across 18 districts
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed extensively, particularly at sensitive and highly sensitive booths. Officials said that security personnel will be present at every booth to prevent disturbances, misinformation or violence during voting.
Muzaffarpur: 4,186 booths, nearly 33 lakh voters
Muzaffarpur, which will vote across 11 Assembly constituencies, has set up 4,186 polling stations for around 32.98 lakh voters. Dispatch operations were carried out from three centres — MIT College Brahmpura, RDS College Ramdayalu and District School Mithanpura — where teams collected their EVMs, VVPATs and documents before heading to their assigned locations.
Lakhisarai and Samastipur complete preparations
In Lakhisarai, sector officers and polling personnel were provided with all election materials at Gandhi Maidan. Voting will be held from 7am to 4pm, with more than 15 battalions deployed for security.
Samastipur, where voting will take place on 10 Assembly seats, has 29.32 lakh registered voters and 3,603 polling stations. Election officials say preparations have been made to ensure smooth and peaceful voting.
