New Delhi, Nov 11 (NationPress) Bihar has recorded an unprecedented voter turnout of 67.14% by 5 p.m. on Tuesday during the second and final phase of the Assembly elections. This phase marks the highest turnout ever in the state for any Assembly or Lok Sabha elections, and the final figures are expected to push this percentage even higher.

The first phase already showcased a remarkable turnout of 62.57%, exceeding the previous record by 2.09% from the 2020 elections. However, this still fell short of the 64.6% turnout seen during the 1998 Lok Sabha elections. Notably, four districts reported turnout exceeding 70%, with Kishanganj leading at 76.26%, followed by Katihar at 75.23%, Purnea at 73.79%, and Supaul at 70.69% by 5 p.m.

The Bihar Legislative Assembly consists of 243 seats, of which elections have already been conducted in 121 constituencies on November 6, with vote counting scheduled for November 14.

This second phase encompasses 122 seats across 20 districts, featuring 1,302 candidates vying for votes.

Approximately 3.7 crore voters were eligible to participate, with over 45,399 polling stations established for this election round.

Security measures were stringent, involving the deployment of over four lakh personnel, including paramilitary forces and bomb disposal teams, to ensure a smooth voting process, especially in light of the recent blast in Delhi.

Fortunately, no significant violence has been reported, with 20 districts, including West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, and others, participating peacefully.

Among the notable regions voting was Seemanchal, which borders West Bengal and Nepal, and has a Muslim population significantly higher than the state average, making its Assembly seats crucial in tight races.

While Muslims represent about 17.70% of Bihar's overall population, they constitute an estimated 47% in Seemanchal, greatly influencing electoral outcomes. This region holds 24 Assembly constituencies, approximately 10% of the total seats in Bihar.

Various political parties aim to translate the religious and caste affiliations of Seemanchal's populace into predictable vote banks, often overlooking issues of poverty, low development, migration, and flood-related distress.

In the 2020 elections, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 66 out of 122 seats in this phase, making this polling round pivotal for determining overall majority.

Key contests are taking place in constituencies such as Chakai, Jamui, Dhamdaha, Chhatapur, and Jokihat, where heavyweight candidates from Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party face off against nominees from the Mahagatbandhan, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Congress, and Left parties.

Some constituencies also feature candidates from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) led by Asaduddin Owaisi, and the Jan Suraaj Party founded by former poll strategist Prashant Kishor.

By 11 a.m., the state recorded a turnout of 31.38%, with Kishanganj at 34.74% leading and Madhubani at 28.66% trailing. By 3 p.m., the turnout surged to 60.40%, indicating strong voter engagement.