ECI is all smiles as Bihar registers higher first phase voter turnout despite Covid-19 scare

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Mumbai: More than anybody else, it is the Election Commission of India (ECI) which is all smiles as Bihar registered higher voter turnout in the first phase of polling held on October 28 as compared to the voting percentage in 2015 in the 71 Assembly constituencies. The reason being that despite the Covid-19 pandemic scare voters turned out in large numbers. As per the official final figures released by the ECI, the final voting percentage for the 71 Assembly constituencies was 55.68 percent. Whereas, in 2015 assembly polls the voting percentage was 54.75 percent.

Officials in the ECI attributed this significant increase in the voter turnout despite the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic to the scrupulously followed guidelines of social distancing at the polling booths, voters were provided with gloves, masks and hand sanitizers. Besides this the elderly above 80 years were given the option of Absentee ballot, time-slot for senior citizens and those under treatment for Covid-19.

Notwithstanding the recent clashes in Munger and recent recovery of firearms, ammunition and bombs since the elections, the significant increase in voter turnout has brought smiles on the faces of the ECI officials.

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The district-wise comparative polling percentage was as follows: Bhagalpur – 53.77% in 2015 – 57.04% in 2020; Banka – 56.43% in 2015 – 59.65% in 2020; Munger – 52.24% in 2015 – 50.06% in 2020; Lakhisarai – 53.18% in 2015 – 54.05% in 2020; Sheikhpura – 55.10% in 2015 – 54.53% in 2020; Patna – 56.98% in 2015 – 56.08% in 2020; Bhojpur – 52.03% in 2015 – 51.85% in 2020; Buxar – 57.48% in 2015 – 55.50% in 2020; Kaimur (Bhabua) – 59.65% in 2015 – 62.76% in 2020; Rohtas – 54.37% in 2015 – 54.09% in 2020; Arwal – 51.39% in 2015 – 55.63% in 2020; Jehanabad – 57.08% in 2015 – 55.21% in 2020; Aurangabad – 53.04% in 2015 – 55.58% in 2020; Gaya – 57.07% in 2015 – 58.65% in 2020; Nawada – 52.08% in 2015 – 50.00% in 2020 and  Jamui – 54.11% in 2015 – 60.30% in 2020.

Out of the 71 assembly constituencies that went to polls on October 28, polling percentage in 5 assembly constituencies is as follows: Chakai – 65.83%, Katoria – 60.99%, Sheikhpura – 55.91%, Rajauli (SC) – 50.1% and Jamalpur – 46.39%.

There were 2,14,06,096 crore total voters in the 71 assembly constituencies that went to polls in the first phase, which included – 1,12,76,396 crore male voters, 1,01,29,101 female voters, 599 Third Gender voters and a total of 78,691 Service voters that included 75,358 male and 3,333 female voters. In the first phase of polling there are a total of 1,066 candidates in the poll fray that includes 952 male and 114 female candidates.

In the second phase of polling 94 assembly constituencies go to the polls on November 3. While in the third and last phase of polling, 78 assembly constituencies go to the polls on November 7. Counting of votes and results for all the 243 assembly constituencies will be declared on November 10.