Patna – After the phase 1 assembly election, Bihar witnessed a record-breaking 64.66% voter turnout in this election. This surpassed the 62.57% polling percentage in the 2000 Assembly election. It also crossed Bihar’s highest voter turnout in the Lok Sabha election in 1998 – 64.6%. Despite the SIR before the election, which excluded 47 lakh names from Bihar’s voter list, according to the opposition, the voter turnout increased.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar applauded the people of Bihar for making this vote a history. “Bihar has shown the way to the nation. SIR with Zero Appeals and the highest voter turnout since 1951.” He further acknowledged the transparency in the SIR-backed voting. “Purest electoral rolls and enthusiastic participation of electors. Transparent and dedicated election machinery. Democracy wins. It has been an amazing journey for ECI.”

Generally, the increase in voter turnout means anti-incumbency. In past elections in 2010, 2015 and 2020, Nitish Kumar’s alternative alliance with BJP, RJD and again BJP swung the votes in Nitish’s favour. On the contrary, in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh elections, BJP won twice in both states despite the voter turnout hike. Whether this increased polling percentage in Bihar turns out to be a blessing for Mahagatbandhan, the phase 2 election will decide.

The phase 2 election in the remaining 122 seats will take place on November 11. The result will be declared on November 14.