By Kavita Sharma.
Photo Credit The Suncity News.
Patna, July 30, 2026: Voting is underway for the high-profile Bankipur Assembly by-election in Patna, with voters turning out steadily since polling began at 7 am on Thursday.
According to the Election Commission, the constituency recorded a 27.82 percent voter turnout by 3.00 pm.
Long queues of voters were seen at several polling stations as people participated in the democratic exercise.
The administration has deployed extensive security arrangements across the constituency to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling.
Police personnel have been stationed at all polling booths, with additional security at the sensitive locations.
Nearly 3.8 lakh electors are eligible in Bankipur:
A total of 379,471 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the by-poll, including 200,060 males, 179,533 females and 23 third-gender voters.
Special arrangements have been made for 3,166 voters aged above 85 years and 1,024 persons with disabilities in Bankipur, with facilities provided at polling stations to ensure convenient voting.
The Election Commission has established 422 polling stations for the Bankipur by-election, comprising 247 polling stations in government buildings, 175 polling stations in private buildings, and 9 mobile polling stations.
Live streaming has been arranged at all polling stations to facilitate real-time monitoring of the voting process.
Election officials and the district administration are supervising polling through a central control room.
Model code of conduct in force:
The Election Commission has prescribed strict guidelines for candidates and political parties during polling.
Each candidate has been permitted a maximum of three vehicles for election agents and party workers, with no more than five persons allowed in each vehicle.
Authorities have warned that violations of the Model Code of Conduct or election rules will invite strict action.
Twenty-five candidates are in the fray of the Bankipur by-poll:
Initially, 40 candidates filed nominations for the Bankipur by-election.
Following scrutiny, 14 nominations were rejected due to deficiencies in documentation, while one candidate withdrew, leaving 25 candidates contesting the Bankipur seat.
Patna district magistrate Kundan Kumar said magistrates and police officials have been deployed at every polling station and appealed to voters to exercise their franchise without fear or influence.
Bankipur Assembly constituency is regarded as one of Bihar’s most politically significant seats, with the outcome expected to have considerable political implications.
As polling progresses, attention remains focused on voter turnout and the eventual verdict, which will be declared after the counting of votes.
EOM.
