Bihar has achieved a historic 64.7% voter turnout, the highest ever in the state’s electoral history. The first phase of the assembly polls concluded peacefully, marked by new initiatives like live webcasting from all polling stations and international delegates praising the organisation. Efforts to assist voters, including veiled women and persons with disabilities, were highlighted. Bihar has achieved a historic 64.7% voter turnout, the highest ever in the state’s electoral history. The first phase of the assembly polls concluded peacefully, marked by new initiatives like live webcasting from all polling stations and international delegates praising the organisation. Efforts to assist voters, including veiled women and persons with disabilities, were highlighted. NEW DELHI: Bihar created history on Thursday by clocking 64.7% voter turnout, the highest ever in any election held in the state. Since the onset of electoral politics in India in 1951-52, the highest polling percentage recorded in a Lok Sabha poll in Bihar was 64.6% in 1998, and in an assembly poll, 62.6% in the year 2000.Sharing that the first phase of Bihar assembly poll — covering 121 assembly seats — had concluded peacefully and with a festive mood, EC said its new initiatives had made voting a “most pleasant experience for the voters”.For the first time, there was live webcasting of polling in 100% of the polling stations, with chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and election commissioners S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi monitoring the feed from the EC control room here. The CEC engaged with the presiding officers and district election officers from the control room to ensure the smooth progress of polling.Another first in this election was the visit of 16 foreign delegates from six countries to Bihar as part of the international election visitors’ programme (IEVP), to witness the poll proceedings . The delegates, EC said, hailed the Bihar elections for being one of the most well-organised, transparent, efficient and participative elections, internationally.Over 90,000 ‘jeevika didis’ or female volunteers were deployed to assist the polling personnel in identifying the ‘purdahnasheen’ (veiled) women electors.The presiding officers updated the voter turnout figures at the close of poll before leaving the polling station, cutting the delay in updation of approximate voter turnout trends. Earlier these figures would land till as late as 11.30 pm on polling day.The Bihar polls witnessed use of colour photos of candidates on EVM ballot papers. In another first, electors could deposit their mobiles at the polling stations. Modified voter information slips ensured easy readability. Given that the voters per polling station was capped at 1200, voting could proceed without any long queues and extra waiting times.Persons with disabilities were facilitated with wheelchairs, deployment of volunteers to assist them and an e-rickshaw facility for them to reach the polling stations. About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’RJD Put Katta To Congress’ Head’: PM Modi Slams Mahagathbandhan In Bihar RallyIndia Shocked As UAE Frees Mahadev Scam Accused, Cites No Extradition Request Amid Paper TrailBihar Deputy CM Vijay Sinha Accuses RJD MLC Of Drunken Chaos, Faces Off Amid Voting In LakhisaraiDelhi’s Fake ‘Professor’ and Team Pulled Off a ₹50 Crore Money Heist Inspired by Netflix Crime Drama’Can’t Think Of Another Trade Talk…’: Piyush Goyal, Todd McClay Comment On India–New Zealand FTAINS Ikshak Commissioned With 80% Indigenous Tech, New Hydrographic Survey Vessel Joins Indian NavyDonald Trump’s Trade Weapon Tested: US Supreme Court Weighs Limits of Emergency Powers, Authority’BIG ZERO’: PM Modi Takes Massive Dig At RJD, Cong’s ‘Jungle Raj’ Report Card for Bihar in ArariaIndians Trapped In Myanmar’s KK Park Cyber Scam Hub Finally Being Repatriated By Air ForceSri Lankan Opposition Leader Backs India’s UNSC Seat, Calls It Recognition of Global Power Shift123PhotostoriesWhy does this Indian temple open only for 12 days in a yearHis/ her story: “Whenever things are fine between my husband and me, my mother-in-law interferes and causes fights… What should I do?”‘Kaun?’, ‘Talvar’ to ‘Gone Girl’: 7 must-watch thrillers that will keep you guessing till the very end9 beautiful and unique baby girl names that begin with letter ‘R’How to spot a fake person: 5 clear signs you shouldn’t miss, as per psychology14 Days with Chia Seeds: Harvard doctor explains the benefits and best way to eat themHow to control uric acid: 5 morning habits to keep it in check naturallyHow to grow juicy Plums in your balcony garden; step-by-step guidelinesElle Fanning to Kareena Kapoor: 5 best celebrity looks of the dayAdding these two cooking essentials may help in making less oily and non-greasy Pooris123Hot PicksStock market holidayBank HolidayBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingOumar KaneBlue Jays Wives Emotional WivesGhazala Firdous HashmiFake Online TradingMLB World Series ChampionsMath Problem Solving StrategiesBengaluru AirportSaudi Arabia Makkah Grand MosqueVanessa BryantCarolina Panthers
NEW DELHI: Bihar created history on Thursday by clocking 64.7% voter turnout, the highest ever in any election held in the state. Since the onset of electoral politics in India in 1951-52, the highest polling percentage recorded in a Lok Sabha poll in Bihar was 64.6% in 1998, and in an assembly poll, 62.6% in the year 2000.Sharing that the first phase of Bihar assembly poll — covering 121 assembly seats — had concluded peacefully and with a festive mood, EC said its new initiatives had made voting a “most pleasant experience for the voters”.For the first time, there was live webcasting of polling in 100% of the polling stations, with chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and election commissioners S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi monitoring the feed from the EC control room here. The CEC engaged with the presiding officers and district election officers from the control room to ensure the smooth progress of polling.Another first in this election was the visit of 16 foreign delegates from six countries to Bihar as part of the international election visitors’ programme (IEVP), to witness the poll proceedings . The delegates, EC said, hailed the Bihar elections for being one of the most well-organised, transparent, efficient and participative elections, internationally.Over 90,000 ‘jeevika didis’ or female volunteers were deployed to assist the polling personnel in identifying the ‘purdahnasheen’ (veiled) women electors.The presiding officers updated the voter turnout figures at the close of poll before leaving the polling station, cutting the delay in updation of approximate voter turnout trends. Earlier these figures would land till as late as 11.30 pm on polling day.The Bihar polls witnessed use of colour photos of candidates on EVM ballot papers. In another first, electors could deposit their mobiles at the polling stations. Modified voter information slips ensured easy readability. Given that the voters per polling station was capped at 1200, voting could proceed without any long queues and extra waiting times.Persons with disabilities were facilitated with wheelchairs, deployment of volunteers to assist them and an e-rickshaw facility for them to reach the polling stations.
