Patna, Bihar – Voting is underway for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections, a monumental democratic exercise held for the first time in India amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Polling began this morning across 71 constituencies in 16 districts, marking the start of a fierce three-way contest that will shape the state’s political future.
Today, over 3.13 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots, determining the fate of 1,351 candidates. All eyes are on the voter turnout and polling trends in what is being seen as a referendum on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar‘s 15-year rule.
Early visuals from polling booths showed voters arriving with masks, using hand sanitizers, and adhering to social distancing norms marked by chalk circles. The Election Commission is navigating the dual challenge of ensuring a free and fair election while implementing strict health safety protocols.
NDA vs Mahagathbandhan: The Key Contest
The political battleground for the Bihar Election Phase 1 is clearly defined. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar‘s Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is campaigning on a platform of development, stability, and the “double-engine” government model, heavily backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity.
Challenging them is the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), spearheaded by the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) young leader, Tejashwi Yadav. Aligned with the Congress and Left parties, Tejashwi has centered his entire campaign on the promise of providing 10 lakh government jobs, a message that has found significant traction among the state’s youth grappling with unemployment.
Key Issues and Prominent Seats in Phase 1
This first phase is critical as it covers parts of Bihar’s southern and central belts. Several heavyweight candidates, including ministers in the current Nitish Kumar cabinet, are in the fray today. Key constituencies to watch include Jamui, Gaya, Sasaram, Banka, and Munger.
The narrative on the ground is a mix of anti-incumbency, caste arithmetic, and development promises. While many credit Nitish Kumar with improving law and order, a palpable desire for change, particularly among younger voters, has given Tejashwi’s campaign significant momentum.
What to Watch For Today
As the Bihar Election Phase 1 voting progresses, the most crucial metric will be the final voter turnout. The key question is whether the fear of the pandemic will suppress turnout or if the burning issues of jobs, the migrant crisis, and local development will drive people to the polling stations in large numbers.
Today’s vote will set the tone for the remaining two phases scheduled for November 3 and November 7. The results, declared on November 10, will deliver the final verdict on whether Bihar has chosen continuity or change.
Stay with NextMinuteNews for continuous live updates, voter turnout figures, key candidate reactions, and expert analysis throughout the day.
