Bihar elections: 54.05% polling recorded in second phase

18:35 November 03

Bihar elections: voting concludes for second phase

Voting in 94 of the total 243 Assembly seats in Bihar concluded on Tuesday. In the second phase of the state elections over 2.85 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,463 candidates in the fray.

17:28 November 03

Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey and his wife cast their vote at a polling booth in Bhagalpur.

17:09 November 03

51.08 per cent voter turnout recorded till 5 pm

Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 51.08 per cent till 5 pm in the second phase of state Assembly elections on Tuesday, according to the Election Commission of India.

15:52 November 03

Poll duty-bound SSB jawan dies in road accident in Bihar

An SSB jawan was killed after he was run over by an unidentified vehicle while on his way to attend election duty in Bihar's East Champaran district, police said on Tuesday.

The incident took place near Dumra Chowk in Kotwa police station area on Monday night when 34-year-old Sashastra Seema Bal jawan Shailesh Kumar Singh was going to a polling booth in Kalyanpur constituency in East Champaran district on his motorcycle, a police officer said.

The jawan hailed from West Champaran district and was posted at the SSB's 65th battalion in Bettiah, Kotwa police station SHO Rajiv Kumar said.

15:27 November 03

44.51 voter turnout till 3 pm in second phase of Bihar polls

44.51 voter turnout till 3 pm in second phase of Bihar polls

Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 44.51 per cent till 3 pm in the second phase of state Assembly elections on Tuesday, according to the Election Commission of India.

13:56 November 03

32.82% votes recorded till 1 PM

32.82% votes recorded till 1 PM

Nearly 33 per cent of the total 2.85 crore electors exercised their franchise till 1 pm on Tuesday in 94 constituencies of Bihar during the second phase of assembly elections.

The highest poll percentage of 41.25 has been recorded in Muzaffarpur among the 17 districts, where the 94 seats are located, according to the Election Commission's Voter Turnout App, updated till 1 pm.

The lowest turnout so far has been reported from Darbhanga at 26.73 per cent, followed by Patna at 28 per cent.

The estimated overall turnout at 1 pm is 32.82 per cent, the poll panel data said.

12:29 November 03

I am confident the results will be in favour of development of Bihar: Shatrughan Sinha

"There's a wave of change. I am confident the results will be in favour of Luv Sinha and development in Bihar", said Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha.  

Shatrughan Sinha's son, Luv Sinha is the Congress candidate from Patna's Bankipur. 

12:26 November 03

BSF official dies of heart attack at Lalganj polling booth  

A Sub Inspector of the Border Security Force (BSF) on duty at a polling booth in the Lalganj assembly seat died of heart attack Tuesday, police and hospital sources said.

The security man felt acute pain in chest while he was on duty at booth number 181 following which he was taken to Hajipur sadar hospital, they said.

On reaching the hospital, the doctors declared him brought dead, the sources added.

The 55-year-old deceased has been identified as K R Bhai, a resident of Vadodara in Gujarat.

He was posted with the BSF in Gujarat and was deployed at a polling station in the Lalganj constituency in Vaishali district where voting is in progress Tuesday.

12:20 November 03

"The public cannot be fooled for long, look at what condition the public has put Congress party in... Today they do not even have a total of 100 MPs in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha... people still punish them whenever there's a chance,"says PM Narendra Modi.

12:12 November 03

Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad cast his vote in Patna.

11:38 November 03

19.26% votes recorded till 11 am in Bihar.

11:32 November 03

RJD makes hollow promises, it isn't easy to give 10 lakh govt jobs, says Tej Pratap's father-in-law

Father-in-law of RJD's Tej Pratap Yadav and JDU candidate from Parsa, Chandrika Rai today casts his vote in Chhapra.

"Hollow promises are meaningless. If it was so easy to give 10 lakh govt jobs then everyone would make such promises, but it isn't easy," he says on RJD's poll promise.

"Chirag Paswan stays in Delhi, he isn't aware of ground realities. He wears nice clothes & belongs to 5-star culture. He doesn't know ground realities," says JDU's Parsa candidate Chandrika Rai on Paswan's statement that 'Nitish Kumar won't become CM again'

11:29 November 03

Technical glitch detected in VVPAT at polling booth no. 201 at Salaha Chandan village on Fuhia Ghat in Samastipur during voting. Election Commission's technical team crosses a river in a boat to reach polling booth. 

10:11 November 03

8.14 % voter turnout till 10 am

In the second phase of Assembly election in Bihar, 8.14 percent voter turnout was recorded till 10 am on Tuesday. 

09:47 November 03

Nitish Kumar casts vote in Digha

Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar today cast his vote at a government school in Digha. 

"Everyone should come to cast his/her vote," said Nitish Kumar.

09:45 November 03

8.02 % votes recorded till 9 am

8.02 % votes recorded till 9 am. 

09:40 November 03

Tej Pratap Yadav appeals to people to cast their vote

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and son of supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav on Tuesday said Bihar has become 'Lalumay' and everyone looks up to him with respect.

"Everyone in Bihar and especially people of Hasanpur are 'Lalumay' and everyone is with Lalu Yadav and they look up to him with respect. I will win with a margin of 50,000 from Hasanpur," he said.  

Regarding the chances of Mahagathbandhan's success in the Bihar elections, RJD scion said, "People want a total change and tussle is, after all, a part of politics. People want Mahagathbandan and Tejashvi as the CM."

Tej Pratap asked the voters to be fearless. "I want to tell the public that they should cast their vote fearlessly," he added.

09:40 November 03

Tejashwi Yadav casts vote in Patna  

RJD leaders Tejashwi Yadav and Rabri Devi cast their votes today at polling booth number 160 in Patna.

"I appeal to people to take part in this festival of democracy. I am confident people will bring change with the power of their vote", said RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

09:38 November 03

There is need for change and development in Bihar: Rabri Devi 

Former Chief Minister Rabri Devi on Tuesday said that the people of Bihar want a change and claimed that Mahagathbandhan is winning the Assembly polls.  

"People of Bihar are excited. They want a change. 'Badlav ke lehar ki ganga beh rahi hai'. People of Bihar are experienced that's why they want the change. We appeal to people to vote for change," she said.  

"Mahagathbandhan is winning. We are seeking the vote in the name of change. People came to the state during the lockdown and returned because they did not get jobs here," she added.  

When asked if Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will return to power, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader said: "People of Bihar now understand that Nitish Kumar is 'palturam' that's why they want the change."

09:30 November 03

J P Nadda urges people to vote in large numbers

As polling began for the second phase of Bihar assembly elections and bypolls in 10 states, BJP President JP Nadda on Tuesday appealed to people to come out in large numbers and ensure their participation in the grand festival of democracy while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.  

In a series of tweets, Nadda said, "Second phase of polling for Bihar assembly elections is being held today. I appeal to people to vote in large numbers and ensure their participation in grand festival of democracy while keeping COVID related precautions in mind".

"Pehle matdaan phir jalpaan (First vote then take meal)", he added.

09:25 November 03

Voting underway in Bihar's Muzaffarpur

Voting underway in Bihar's Muzaffarpur today. Foolproof security arrangements have been made for voting as well as to ensure that social distancing norms are in place in the times of the Covid pandemic. 

However, the polling hours have been reduced in the three Muzaffarpur seats because of their naxal history, while in the rest five due to other reasons related to terrain and riverine settings. 

09:21 November 03

Tejashwi Yadav will form government in Bihar: Rabri Devi's brother Prabhu Nath Yadav

Former chief minister Rabri Devi's brother Prabhu Nath Yadav cast his vote at a booth in Patna today. 

After casting vote, Prabhu Nath claimed that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will form the government in Bihar. 

08:54 November 03

Girl arrives polling booth with her grandmother on a bicycle to caste vote

A first-time voter was accompanied by her grandmother to the polling booth as Bihar goes for the second phase of assembly polls.

The girl arrived at a polling booth in Patna with her grandmother on a bicycle to cast her vote.

"I have come here with my grandmother. I will be voting for the first time. I hope we will have more employment opportunities for youth in the future," the girl said.

08:44 November 03

JDU candidate Narendra Prasad Singh arrested for violating the code of conduct

JDU candidate and MLA Matihani Assembly Narendra Prasad Singh today arrested for violating the code of conduct during second phase polls. Later, he was released on bail. 

08:06 November 03

3.7% votes recorded till 8 am in Bihar

08:05 November 03

Voters stand in queues at polling booth no 75 to cast their votes in Darbhanga's Gausaghat.  

Speaking to Etv Bharat, many voters said that they want change in Bihar this time. Unemployment, migration is the major electoral issue.

07:52 November 03

Social distancing norms being followed as voters stand in queues at polling booth no. 325 & 326 in Patna to cast their votes for the second phase of Bihar Elections.

07:50 November 03

PM Modi appeals to people of Bihar to vote

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to electors to vote in large numbers while following social distancing norms and wearing a mask.

Make this festival of democracy successful by voting in large numbers. During the exercise, apart from maintaining social distancing, also wear a mask, he tweeted in Hindi Tuesday morning. 

07:38 November 03

Voting underway in phase 2 of Bihar polls

Polling got underway in 94 constituencies of Bihar assembly on Tuesday morning.  

The poll opened at 7 am but the time for its conclusion has been extended by one hour till 6 pm to facilitate COVID-19 patients and those with symptoms of the disease to exercise their franchise in the last hour.  

Polling will, however, conclude early in naxal-hit areas.

The Election Commission said voting will end at 4 pm on eight seats of Gaura Bauram and Kusheshwar Asthan in Darbhanga district, Minapur, Paroo and Sahebganj in Muzaffarpur, Alauli and Beldour in Khagaria, and Raghpur in Vaishali.

The polling hours have been reduced in the three Muzaffarpur seats because of their naxal history, while in the rest five due to other reasons related to terrain and riverine settings, a senor poll official said.

07:33 November 03

LJP President Chirag Paswan casts his vote at a polling booth in Khagaria. 

07:19 November 03

Sushil Kumar Modi appeals people of Bihar to vote

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi cast his vote at polling booth no.49 at St Joseph High School in Patna's Rajendra Nagar. 

"I appeal to the people to step out of their homes, cast their vote, maintain social distancing and keep wearing mask," Modi said.

07:19 November 03

Governor Phagu Chauhan casts vote

Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan cast his vote at the polling booth at government school in Digha.  

"I appeal to the people to participate in election in large numbers. I hope that voting percentage will be more than previous time," he said. 

07:06 November 03

Voting begins for the second phase of Bihar Assembly polls. 1463 candidates, including RJD leaders Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, in fray for 94 seats across 17 districts.

06:46 November 03

Preparations underway at polling booths in Bihar

All preparations made at the polling booths in Bihar. Visuals from a polling booth number 138 in Samastipur and booth number 8 in Khagaria.

Sanitisation work being done at a government school in Digha that has been designated as a polling booth. Governor Phagu Chauhan and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will cast their votes here.

06:44 November 03

"You can get me to give you in writing that Nitish Kumar will never again be the Chief Minister after November 10. I'll have no role to play, I want 'Bihar first, Bihari first'. I want work to be done as per vision document prepared by suggestions of 4 Lakh Biharis", said LJP leader Chirag Paswan. 

06:37 November 03

People of Bihar will vote for us: Tejashwi Yadav  

Ahead of the second phase voting for Bihar Assembly election, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav said that in this "tsunami of change", people of Bihar will vote on agenda of education, healthcare, inflation, etc.

"In this tsunami of change people of Bihar will vote on agenda of 'Padhai, Kamai, Dawai, Sichai, Mehengai' (education, employment, healthcare, farming, inflation). I am sure they will vote for us as they want a change in state, they want proactive and progressive government. People of Bihar will vote for the change", Yadav said.

"The first phase of the election went quite well and I believe the second phase will be much better, more people will vote in our favour. I would urge people to go and cast their votes in large numbers while taking COVID-19 precautions," he added. 

06:30 November 03

Bihar Phase II polls

2.85 cr voters to exercise franchise in 94 seats

Patna: Voting in 94 of the total 243 Assembly seats in Bihar will be held on Tuesday during the second phase of state elections in which over 2.85 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,463 candidates in fray.

As many as 41,362 polling stations have been set up across 17 districts, all of which except Patna, Bhagalpur, and Nalanda are situated north of the Ganges.

Maharajganj seat has a maximum of 27 candidates in the electoral battle and Daraula with only four in the second round of Assembly polls.

Prominent contestants in the fray include Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and Grand Alliance's chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav who is recontesting the Raghopur seat and his brother Tej Pratap in the fray in Hassanpur seat in Samastipur district.

Other prominent faces in the fray in the second phase are RJD leaders Alok Kumar Mehta from Ujiyarpur and Shailesh Kumar from Bihpur, former parliamentarian Anand Mohan's son Chetan Anand from Sheohar, former parliamentarian Rama Singh's wife Beena Singh from Mahnar, and Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv from Bankipur.

Plurals Party leader Pushpam Priya Choudhary is also in the fray in Bankipur, apart from BJP's Nitin Naveen.

Ministers Nandkishore Yadav, Randhir Singh, and Shravan Kumar are also in the fray from Patna Sahib, Madhuban and Nalanda segments. The prestige of 27 MLAs of the Grand Alliance is at stake.

The RJD has fielded 56 candidates in the second phase of elections, wherein it is in direct contest with the BJP on 27 seats and with the ally turned foe JD-U on 25 seats.

The BJP is contesting 46 seats and the JD-U 43 seats.

The Congress is contesting 24 seats, CPI and CPM four each, Lok Janshakti Party 52 and RLSP 36 seats.

In the 2015 elections, the Rashtriya Janata Dal of Lalu Prasad had bagged 33 of these seats, the JD-U 30 and the Congress seven whereas the NDA had won only 22 seats.

However, a lot of water has since flown down the rivers ever since. New political permutations and combinations have come into play in 2020 as compared with the 2015 polls.

(With Inputs From IANS)