Bihar is all set to choose its next Chief Minister as the polling of the first phase is underway. More than 2 crore voters will be deciding the fate of over one thousand candidates of 71 constituencies. This election is India’s first election after the outbreak of coronavirus. The election commission has directed all polling booths to follow all norms and guidelines issued for the polling.
After a sluggish start, people are coming out to vote in 16 districts of Bihar for the first phase of Assembly elections.
As per trends till 1 pm, the Election Commission has registered 33.1 percent votes in these districts with the maximum 40.16 percent reported from Lakhisarai followed by 38.08 percent in Nawada, and 34.76 percent in Buxar.
The voting percentage in other districts such as Bhagalpur was 34.34, Banka 33.11, Munger 31.84, Shekhpura 29.49, Patna 34.74, Bhojpur 32.15, Kaimur 34.75, Rohtas 30.26, Arwal 30.55, Jahanabad 32.32, Aurangabad 33.32, Gaya 32.90 and Jamui is 31.37 percent.
Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi cast his vote in the polling booth at Gaya. He claimed that the NDA will win nearly 50 seats out of 71 in the first phase whereas the election commission has ordered to file an FIR against BJP leader and Bihar agriculture minister Prem Kumar for violating the rules of code of conduct. Prem Kumar was seen wearing a mask having its party symbol on it while casting his vote.
A polling agent identified as Krishna Singh died by cardiac arrest at the Phulma booth in Hisua assembly segment in Nawada district.
The first phase election will decide the fate of high-profile politicians. This includes former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and eight ministers: Prem Kumar, Krishnandan Verma, Shailesh Kumar, Vijay Kumar Sinha, Jai Kumar Sinha, Ramnaryan Mandal, Santosh Kumar Nirala, and Brij Kishore Bind. The 71 constituencies going to vote fall in six districts including Naxal – hit Gaya, Rohtas, and Aurangabad.
31,371 polling stations have been set up in this phase.
Guidelines have been issued by the election commission for safe polling amidst the pandemic. Protocols include lowering the maximum numbers of voters for a polling booth from 1600 to 1000. A postal ballot facility is also provided for those who are above 80.
Apart from these measures, proper sanitization of EVM( Electronic Voting Machine), wearing of masks, gloves, and other protective gear by polling personnel is a must. The availability of the thermal scanner, hand sanitizer, soap, and water is to be ensured at the polling booth by the officials. The voting will run till 6 pm.
However, voting for the second and third phase is scheduled for November 3 and 7. The counting of the votes will be held on 10 November.