Bihar polls: 68.7% voter turnout recorded in final phase

Voting in 122 of the 243 Assembly seats in the second and final phase of the Bihar elections took place on Tuesday. The provisional voter turnout was 68.7%, according to the Election Commission.

The polling began at 7 am and concluded at 5 pm.

Security had been tightened in the state following a blast near Delhi’s Red Fort metro station on Monday, which left at least eight persons dead. The police has filed a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Bihar Director General of Police Vinay Kumar told ANI that authorities conducted overnight checks at lodges, hostels, bus and railway stations, and marketplaces as part of the security measures.

“The international border along Bihar has also been sealed for the past 72 hours in view of the elections,” ANI quoted him as saying. “Joint patrolling by state police forces is being carried out along the inter-state borders.”

The polling took place in the districts of Paschim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia and Katihar. The other districts are Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui, Nawada, Gaya, Jahanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad, Rohtas nad Kaimur.

The exit polls will be released after polling concludes on Tuesday.

The first phase of the Assembly election took place on Thursday. The voter turnout in the first phase was a record 64.6%, the Election Commission said.

The votes will...

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