Bihar Elections: Leaders step up campaigning from Seemanchal to Champaran ahead of 2nd Phase

Patna: The Bihar Assembly Elections are now at a crucial juncture. Candidates and political parties have today and tomorrow to campaign before the second and final phase of voting. Campaigning will completely cease after 6 pm on 9th November. Voters will then vote on 11th November to decide who will hold power in Bihar. The second phase is larger than the first. This phase will see contests for 122 assembly seats across 20 districts, with a total of 1,302 candidates contesting. These include 1,165 men, 136 women, and one third-gender candidate. Over 37 million voters will exercise their franchise in this phase, including 19.5 million men and 17.4 million women. Political Battle from Seemanchal to Magadha Election Commission confirms flawless and no irregularities voting in Bihar’s first Phase The areas where voting will take place in the second phase are geographically and socially diverse. Political temperatures are at their peak in Seemanchal, Champaran, Magadha, Shahabad, and the Bhagalpur-Banka belt. Star campaigners from the BJP, JDU, RJD, Congress, and other parties are holding rallies. Today, many prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Priyanka Gandhi, and Tejashwi Yadav, are busy garnering support for their respective alliances. Each party is striving to reach out to voters in the final hours. Key Districts of the Second Phase This phase includes 20 districts of Bihar: West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Shivhar, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Banka, Jamui, Nawada, Gaya, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal, Kaimur, and Rohtas. Of these, the Seemanchal and Champaran regions are dominated by Muslims and backward castes, while the Magadh and Shahabad belts have a mixed support base of upper castes and backward castes. Better Voter Facilities The Election Commission has made complete preparations for the second phase of voting. Strict security arrangements have been made at 45,399 polling stations across the state. Of these, 40,073 booths are in rural areas, while 5,326 booths are in urban areas. Instructions have been given to ensure minimum facilities at each booth, such as drinking water, toilets, ramps, and adequate lighting. The Election Commission is continuously campaigning to further increase the voting percentage. Bihar Elections: 60.13% voter turnout so far; Details here… The Commission has high hopes for the second phase After record voter turnout in the first phase, the Election Commission is hopeful that the voting percentage will remain high in the second phase as well. District election officials in various districts have been instructed to ensure that the voting process is conducted in a transparent, peaceful, and fear-free environment. Additionally, additional security forces are being deployed at polling stations to prevent any potential disturbances or violence. The second phase will determine who will be crowned. The true picture of power in Bihar will begin to become clear after the second phase. The bumper turnout in the first phase has already made the political equations interesting, and now the second phase will determine whether the public has voted for good governance or has turned to a new leadership in search of change. This phase will prove decisive for Nitish and Tejashwi Yadav. It will also send a national message about the direction Bihar's politics is moving.