New Delhi, Nov 6 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed strong confidence in the NDA's electoral prospects during the initial phase of Bihar's Assembly elections held earlier today. He noted that the 'tremendous enthusiasm of the people' signifies an 'unprecedented majority' for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In a post on social media platform X, he stated: 'The overwhelming enthusiasm of the populace in Bihar during this grand festival of democracy indicates that the NDA is poised to achieve an unprecedented majority in the Assembly elections...'

Polling was completed today across 121 out of Bihar's 243 Assembly constituencies, spanning 18 districts, with a final voter turnout of 64.66 percent among 3.75 crore eligible voters determining the fate of 1,314 candidates (including 1,192 males and 122 females).

Voting hours were from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., although it concluded at 5 p.m. in certain sensitive areas for security purposes.

As of 5 p.m., the voter turnout was recorded at 60.13 percent, with Begusarai showing the highest turnout at 67.32 percent and Sheikhpura the lowest at 52.36 percent.

The first phase of polling included 45,341 polling stations, comprising 36,733 in rural regions, 926 operated by all-women teams, and 107 by individuals with disabilities.

This electoral contest unfolded as a triangular fight involving the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and the BJP, along with allies such as Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha. The opposition coalition, Mahagathbandhan, includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, CPI, CPI-M, CPI-ML Liberation, and Mukesh Sahani's Vikassheel Insaan Party.

Adding a new twist was Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party, which made its electoral debut by contesting all 243 seats.

Tejashwi Yadav, representing the RJD, aimed for a hat-trick in Raghopur against BJP's Satish Kumar and Jan Suraaj's Chanchal Kumar.

BJP Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary contested in Tarapur against RJD's Arun Shah.

JD-U's Anant Singh, currently imprisoned in a murder case, contested for the Mokama seat.

Independent MLA Tej Pratap Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad, competed from Mahua, facing off against RJD's Mukesh Kumar Raushan and LJP's Sanjay Singh.

Among other notable candidates was BJP's Maithili Thakur in Alinagar.

Unfortunately, sporadic violence occurred, with Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha alleging an assault on his convoy by RJD supporters in Lakhisarai.

The RJD responded by alleging voter intimidation and police misconduct in Mohiuddinnagar (booths 106-108) and Sarai, including unauthorized home entries and threats, as well as halted voter boats in Danapur, calling for intervention from the Election Commission.

Prominent leaders cast their votes early; Tejashwi Yadav with family (including Lalu Prasad) in Patna; Union Ministers Giriraj Singh and Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan'; and Deputy CM Sinha in Lakhisarai.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar encouraged citizens to 'vote and inspire others'.

The 18 districts involved in this phase included Patna, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Buxar, Bhojpur, and Bhagalpur (partial).

Out of 3.75 crore voters (comprising 1.98 crore males, 1.77 crore females, and 758 from the third gender), 10.72 lakh were newly registered voters following a special intensive revision, bringing the statewide roll to 7.24 crore.

The issues at stake ranged from Nitish Kumar's governance and law-and-order record to Tejashwi's social justice agenda, with the dynamics of caste and the potential spoiler role of Jan Suraaj under examination.

The second phase of voting is scheduled for November 11, with vote counting planned for November 14.