Bihar Assembly elections: 47.62% voter turnout as of 1 pm

Patna: Brisk polling was underway on Tuesday across 122 assembly constituencies of Bihar, where 47.62 per cent of 3.7 crore voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm in the second and final phase of the high-stakes assembly polls.

Kishanganj district recorded the highest polling percentage so far at 51.86, followed by Gayaji (50.95), and Jamui (50.91). Madhubani recorded the lowest polling percentage at 43.39, followed by Nawada (43.45) and Bhagalpur (45.09).

Polling is underway amid tight security in 122 constituencies across 20 districts.

As in Phase 1, the turnout is expected to rise throughout the day. Large numbers of women voters and first-time voters were seen queuing outside polling stations since early morning, particularly in districts like Sheohar, Supaul, Kishanganj and West Champaran.

Polling is currently underway under tight security in 122 Assembly constituencies across 20 districts of Bihar. Out of the 122 constituencies going to the polls, 101 are general, 19 SC-reserved, and two are ST-reserved.

For phase 2, the ECI has set up 45,399 polling stations, of which 5,326 are urban and 40,073 are rural. These include 595 women-managed booths, 91 PwD-managed booths, and 316 model stations. Webcasting has been arranged at all polling stations.

The average number of electors per booth is 815. According to the Election Commission, 3,70,13,556 electors are eligible to vote in this round. This includes 10,21,812 new voters added to the rolls.

Among them, 1,95,56,899 electors enrolled in the voter list are male, including 5,28,954 new male electors included in the roll after SIR. Similarly, a total of 1,70,68,572 female voters are in the list, including 4,92,839 newly added after SIR.

The third gender voters are 943, including 90 newly added to the list.

A total of 7,69,356 electors are in the 18-19 age group, making up the first-time voters in an Assembly election.

Bihar Police have made all security arrangements for polling, with special security measures in place in seven districts along the India-Nepal border, including West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Araria, and Kishanganj. At the same time, surveillance has also been intensified along the borders with Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

International borders have been completely sealed, and inter-state borders have also been closed since Sunday evening to prevent infiltration and the movement of external elements.

As per the directives of the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 1,650 companies of central security forces have been deployed across the state to ensure peaceful and fair polling.

The security agencies are using drones and CCTV cameras for surveillance, and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have also been deployed for immediate action in emergencies.

(With PTI and IANS inputs)