Vote Counting Begins for 243 Bihar Assembly Seats
Postal ballots counted first as security tightened across 46 centres
PATNA, Nov 14: The counting of votes for all 243 Bihar assembly seats began on Friday morning under tight security arrangements, officials said. As per the Election Commission’s guidelines, the process started with postal ballots, followed by the counting of EVM votes from 8.30 am.
The counting is being conducted across 46 centres in 38 districts, marking the final phase of the two-stage polling held on November 6 and 11. This election is widely viewed as a referendum on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president and the state’s longest serving leader.
Political analysts say the results will also be interpreted as a measure of public support for the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. A victory for the NDA could reinforce the perception that the BJP-led coalition has recovered from last year’s Lok Sabha setback. Conversely, a win for the INDIA bloc would boost the opposition, which has alleged “vote theft” in recent elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi.
Bihar recorded a historic voter turnout of 67.13 per cent, with 7.45 crore eligible voters deciding the fate of 2,616 candidates. The Election Commission said a total of 4,372 counting tables have been set up, each overseen by a supervisor, counting assistant, and micro observer. Over 18,000 counting agents appointed by candidates are monitoring the process.
INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial face and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said party workers and citizens were prepared to counter any “unconstitutional activity during counting”. Another RJD leader, Sunil Kumar Singh, warned of a “Nepal-like situation” if the process was halted, as alleged in 2020.
The BJP dismissed the remarks, calling them a sign of “desperation”. State party president Dilip Jaiswal said leaders were in constant touch with workers stationed at counting centres and expressed confidence that counting day would remain peaceful, just like polling day.
