 "Bihar records highest polling since Independence")
The 2015 Bihar Assembly election, which concluded on Thursday, was unique in many ways. The most significant factor, however, was the highest polling per cent since the first Assembly election held in 1951. The Election Commission announced that 60 per cent people exercised their franchise in the fifth and last polling phase held in 57 constituencies.
The average voter turnout of the five-phase election is 56.7 per cent. The polling in the first phase was 55.81 per cent; 55.45 per cent in second phase; 53.74 per cent in third phase; and 58.54 per cent in the fourth phase. The overall polling in the current Assembly elections was higher than the 2014 Lok Sabha elections (55.38 per cent) and the 2010 Assembly elections (52.65 per cent). "This is the record turnout till date, in all the elections held in Bihar," deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha told reporters in New Delhi. Sinha said the highest voter turnout could be because of three million new voters. The state has 67 million registered voters.
In all the five phases of the 2015 Assembly elections, women voters outscored male voters. Vote per centage for women was 59.42, 55.65, 54.57, 64.18 and 63.60, respectively, in the five phases. For men, it was 52.67, 55.28, 53.03, 53.62, and 56.05 per cent, respectively. Overall, 54.05 per cent male and 59.92 per cent female voters used their electoral rights in this election.
The highest number of voter participation was recorded in Katihar district, where 68 per cent people used their franchise. Saharsa remained the lowest with only 51 per cent voters turning up to vote.
Voters' participation was quite high in the crucial Seemanchal region, which recorded around 60 per cent voting by the end of the day. In Kishanganj, the turnout was 61.54 per cent and in Purnia district, it was 63 per cent. In the Muslim-dominated Araria district, the turnout was 62 per cent.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar contends that a high turnout means the people want to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out, while the BJP hopes that a high turnout means a vote for change. In Darbhanga and Madhubani, 58 and 56 per cent voter turnout, respectively, was recorded by the end of the day. In the Koshi districts, lesser number of voters came out to vote than in 2010. Polling here hovered around 55 per cent. Around 1, 000 companies of central paramilitary forces and state police were deployed to ensure peaceful polling.
Considering the results of the Assembly election in 2010, the stakes are high for the BJP. The saffron party had won 23 out of these 57 seats in 2010 and three of the seven parliamentary constituencies in last year's general election. Lalu Prasad's popularity will be tested in this phase, which is being challenged by Pappu Yadav.
A large turnout is usually considered a sign against the ruling party. The result of this closely-fought battle between the National Democratic Alliance and the 'grand alliance' will be declared on November 8.
