2 ND PHASE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS Bihar logs highest-ever voter turnout of 69%; exit polls predict NDA victory

The second and final phase of the high-stakes Assembly elections in Bihar on Tuesday witnessed a record highest-ever voter turnout of 68.79 per cent at close of polling.

- MPOST BUREAU

The polling percentage across 122 constituencies comprising 3.70 crore voters, which was higher than the “record” 65.09 turnout registered in the first phase on November 6, was likely to go up, as queues of voters were seen at many booths, officials said.

The state has registered an overall voter turnout of 66.91 per cent, its highest since the first state polls in 1951, the Election Commission said on Tuesday, adding that the state also recorded the highest female voter turnout in its history.

Kishanganj, the lone Muslim-majority district in the state, recorded the highest polling percentage so far at 76.26, followed by adjoining Katihar (75.23) and Purnea (73.79), Supaul (70.69) and Araria (67.79).

Most of the districts are situated along the border with Nepal, many of them falling in the state's northeastern region of Kosi-Seemanchal, which is flood-prone and with a high percentage of the minority community.

Voting turnout has also been high in south Bihar districts like Jamui (67.81 per cent), Gaya (67.50 per cent) and Kaimur (67.22 per cent). The lowest turnout (57.31 per cent) was recorded in Nawada, the only district that did not touch the 60 per cent mark till 5 pm.