Bihar Gears Up for Second Phase of Assembly Elections Amid Tight Security Across 20 Districts

Patna: The high-stakes battle for Bihar’s second phase of Assembly elections is set to unfold on Tuesday, November 11, as campaigning officially concluded on Sunday evening. Voting will be held across 122 constituencies in 20 districts, marking a crucial phase that could shape the state’s political future.

With less than 48 hours left for polling, security has been intensified across the state, especially in sensitive and border areas. Director General of Police Vinay Kumar said that the administration has ramped up both ground deployment and real-time monitoring mechanisms.

“Compared to the first phase, this time the scale of deployment and layers of monitoring have been significantly enhanced,” DGP Vinay Kumar stated. He confirmed that 1,650 companies of central security forces have been stationed across Bihar, along with additional battalions of the state police to ensure incident-free voting.

Special attention is being given to seven border districts adjoining Nepal, where surveillance has been heightened following intelligence alerts. “The border with Nepal has been completely sealed since Saturday evening,” officials confirmed, adding that interstate borders with Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal have also been placed under strict watch.

Authorities have set up special checkpoints, drone surveillance units, and quick-response teams in all high-risk areas to curb illegal activities such as cash and liquor smuggling, often reported during elections. Senior officers are personally overseeing security operations from control rooms established at both district and state levels.

As the second phase looms, Bihar enters a decisive political moment. The NDA, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is looking to consolidate its position under what it calls a “double-engine government,” while the Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, is eyeing a comeback with promises of jobs and change. The emerging Jan Suraaj Party, led by Prashant Kishor, is also testing its electoral strength, potentially altering the state’s political arithmetic.