Patna, November 11 (NationPress) The voting process for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections kicks off at 7 a.m. on Tuesday and will run until 6 p.m.

In areas impacted by Naxal activities, the polling will conclude at 5 p.m.

A total of 1,302 candidates are contesting — comprising 1,165 men, 136 women, and one third-gender candidate.

The primary competition is between NDA and Mahagathbandhan, although AIMIM and Jan Suraj are also challenging the status quo in certain regions.

This phase includes polling for 122 constituencies — consisting of 101 general, 19 SC reserved, and 2 ST reserved seats.

According to the Election Commission, 3,70,13,556 electors are eligible to participate in this round.

This includes 10,21,812 new voters who have been added to the electoral rolls.

Out of this, 1,95,56,899 electors are male, with 5,28,954 new male electors included after the SIR.

Additionally, there are 1,70,68,572 female voters, including 4,92,839 newly registered.

The list also features 943 third-gender voters, with 90 newly added.

A total of 7,69,356 electors fall within the 18–19 age group, marking them as first-time voters in an Assembly election.

For this phase, the ECI has established 45,399 polling stations — comprising 5,326 urban and 40,073 rural locations.

This includes 595 women-managed booths, 91 PwD-managed booths, and 316 model stations.

Webcasting facilities are available at all polling locations.

The average number of electors per booth is 815.

Phase-2 polling spans 20 districts, including West Champaran, East Champaran, Supaul, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, Katihar, Banka, Bhagalpur, Nawada, Jamui, Aurangabad, Gaya, Rohtas, Kaimur, Jehanabad, and Arwal.

The Bihar police have ensured comprehensive security arrangements for the polling process.

Special security protocols have been instituted in seven districts, including West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Araria, and Kishanganj, which are located along the Indo–Nepal border. Surveillance has also been heightened along the borders with Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

International borders have been entirely sealed, and inter-state borders have been closed since Sunday evening to curb any infiltration or movement of external elements.

In accordance with the directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 1,650 companies of central security forces have been deployed throughout the state to facilitate peaceful and fair polling.

Security agencies are utilizing drones and CCTV cameras for monitoring, and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been deployed for prompt action in case of emergencies.