Election Commission registered 55.45% of polling in 8 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar till 6 pm.

Patna, May 25, 2024: The sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar witnessed a 55.45% voter turnout on Saturday, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Polling was conducted across eight constituencies—Paschami Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Valmiki Nagar, Sheohar, Siwan, Gopalganj, Maharajganj, and Vaishali.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar, H. R. Srinivasa, informed that this turnout is 3.02% lower than the 58.47% recorded in the 2019 general elections in these constituencies.

Election Commission recorded Maximum polling in Paschim Champaran:

Among the eight seats, Paschim Champaran registered the highest polling percentage at 59.75%, followed by Vaishali (58.50%), Valmiki Nagar(58.25%), Purvi Champaran (57.30%), Shoehar (56.30%), Siwan (52.50%), Maharajganj (51.27%), and Gopalganj (50.70%), which is reserved for Scheduled Castes.

In comparison, voter turnout in 2019 stood at 61.79% in Paschim Champaran, 61.85%in Vaishali, 61.88% in Valmiki Nagar, 59.94% in Purvi Champaran, 59.40% in Sheohar, 54.73% in Siwan, 53.80% in Maharajganj, and 55. 26% in Gopalganj.

Polling was held across 14,872 booths set up at 8,790 polling centers in the constituencies. The Election Commission deployed 17,011 control units, 17,940 ballot units, and 19,458 VVPATs. During the process, 46 control units, 50 ballot units, and 135 VVPATs were replaced during mock polling, while 44 control units, 44 ballot units, and 190 VVPATs were changed after polling began.

The Election Commission revealed the data on seizures:

The Commission also reported the seizure of Rs 2.86 crore in cash and 3,53,742 liters of liquor worth Rs 9.46 crore during the polling period.

According to the CEO, 77model polling stations were set up, along with 2,134 micro observers. Additionally, 62 polling booths were operated by women, 54 booths by persons with disabilities (PwD), and 7,781 booths were monitored through webcasting.

A total of 86 candidates were in the fray, including 78 men and 8 women. There were 1,49,32,165 eligible voters, comprising 78,23,793 male, 71,07,944 female, and 428 third-gender voters.

The polling process remained largely peaceful, though residents of the Narkatiaganj block (booth numbers 272 and 273) under the Valmiki Nagar constituency boycotted voting for various local reasons.

The Commission received 217 complaints during polling, all of which were resolved promptly. However, the day was marred by tragedy when a polling officer, Kanhaiya Prasad, lost his life in a train accident at Sugauli railway station in Purvi Champaran constituency.

Also Read: Lower voter’ turnout is a matter of concern for political parties and the election commission in Bihar.

EOM.