Patna — Bihar witnessed an impressive voter turnout of 60.40 per cent till 3 p.m. on Tuesday in the second and final phase of the state Assembly elections, according to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Early trends indicate a strong voter response, raising expectations of another record-breaking turnout following the historic polling figures in the first phase.
Kishanganj district registered the highest turnout at 66.10 per cent till 3 p.m. Among its constituencies, Kishanganj (AC-54) led with 68.13 per cent, followed by Thakurganj (AC-53) at 66.57 per cent, Kochadhaman (AC-55) at 66.53 per cent, and Bahadurganj (AC-52) at 63.27 per cent.
Purnia district recorded the second-highest turnout at 64.22 per cent. Within the district, Kasba (AC-58) saw 66.98 per cent voting, Purnia (AC-62) registered 65.74 per cent, and Baisi recorded 65.08 per cent.
At the other end of the spectrum, Nawada district witnessed the lowest voter participation with 53.17 per cent turnout till 3 p.m., while the Nawada constituency (AC-237) recorded the most sluggish rate at 49.04 per cent.
By 1 p.m., more than 47 per cent of Bihar’s electorate had already cast their votes — about five percentage points higher than the corresponding period in the first phase, indicating a surge in voter enthusiasm.
The second phase of polling covers 122 constituencies spread across 20 districts of central, western, and northern Bihar. A total of 1,302 candidates, including 136 women and one third-gender candidate, are in the fray.
Nearly 3.7 crore voters — comprising 1.95 crore men and 1.74 crore women — are eligible to vote at 45,399 polling stations, the highest ever set up for any election phase in Bihar’s history.
The first phase, held on November 6, recorded a record turnout of 64.66 per cent, the highest since Independence, surpassing all previous state election figures.
Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal confirmed that the first phase concluded peacefully, covering 121 constituencies across 18 districts, with 3.75 crore eligible voters — including 1.98 crore men, 1.76 crore women, and 758 third-gender voters.
The results for all 243 Assembly constituencies will be announced on November 14.
With inputs from IANS