The results will decide whether JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar, Bihar’s longest-serving chief minister, secures a record fifth term or if the opposition, led by young RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, pulls off a victory. The state recorded a historic voter turnout of 67.13 per cent in the two-phase elections held on November 6 and 11
Tejashwi Yadav and Nitish Kumar. File pic
As the people of Bihar await with eargerly for Friday's assembly election results, both Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar and opposition chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav are also on the edge of their seats. Friday's results will decide whether Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar, the state's longest-serving CM, will get a record fifth term or if there will be a change in the government.
Bihar registered a historic voter turnout of 67.13 per cent in the elections to the 243-member assembly, which were held in two phases on November 6 and 11.
The counting of votes for the much-anticipated elections in Bihar will begin at 8 am, and the trends and results will likely start trickling in an hour . A total of 46 counting centres have been enumerated by the Election Commission across 38 districts in the state that will decide the future of Bihar for the next five years.
As per the Election Commission’s date, a total of 7.45 crore voters were eligible to decide the electoral fate of 2,616 candidates.
According to a statement issued by the EC on Wednesday, the EVMs and VVPATs used in the elections have been sealed inside the strongrooms under a double-lock system.
"Under the presence of central observers and agents deputed by candidates, the entire process will be videographed," the poll body stated.
As per reports, two-tier security has been ensured at the counting centres to make sure that the process is conducted smoothly.
"While the inner tier has been assigned to central armed paramilitary forces (CAPFs), state police have been deployed at the outer rung. Also, 24/7 CCTV surveillance and other security provisions have been put in place," the EC statement further said.
A control room has been set up within every strong room campus, which will be staffed with senior district officials. All the district election officers and returning officers of the assembly constituencies concerned have been directed to frequently inspect the strong rooms.
While the exit polls on Wednesday and Thursday have been nearly unanimous in predicting a clean sweep for the NDA, of which the JD(U) is a part, the picture will be clear only on Friday.
Yadav has rubbished the predictions and claimed that the Mahagathbandhan would form the government with a thumping majority.
(With inputs from PTI)
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