Recording the biggest turnout in the ongoing elections and exceeding the last round of polling by over 4.5 per cent, around 57.59 per cent voters exercised their franchise in north Bihar districts in the 4th phase of polling on Sunday.
Both the NDA and the Grand Alliance leaders have claimed the bigger turnout will help them. The areas, which went to poll in the 4th phase are considered a stronghold of the BIP and the party has reasons to be upbeat due to the bigger turnout.
Over 1.46 crore voters cast their ballots in 55 Assembly seats as polling passed off “by and large” peacefully except for stray incidents of violence and police firing.
Upbeat with high polling percentage, Union Minister Giriraj Singh tweeted that voters have rejected lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar in a big way in this round. On the one hand, RJD spokesman Maonj Jha claimed the pattern of voting in the 4th phase went according to their calculations and as per the trend of the previous rounds.
As the neck-and-neck race reaching the final, the 5th phase, on November 5, the rival alliances have already begun to lay claims on “higher voters response” in the 4th phase is indicative of their advantage. The third phase of polling in Bihar had registered 53.20 per cent polling.
“Today’s polling passed off, by and large, peacefully with a total turnout of 57.59 per cent," Chief Electoral Officer Ajay Nayak told the media at the conclusion of the polling.
Deputy Election Commissioner incharge of Bihar Umesh Sinha told a Press conference in Delhi that 57.59 per cent voter turnout on Sunday can be described as a “record”.
The turnout in 55 constituencies spread over seven districts of Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Gopalganj and Siwan was three per cent more than what was recorded in 2010 Assembly elections, said Nayak, who was accompanied by Additional CEOs R lakshmanan and Arvind Choudhary.
As with the earlier three phases, women outnumbered men in voting. While 60.40 per cent of women voters exercised their franchise, the figure for men was 54.20 per cent, Nayak said.
“In first phase, the turnout was 54.85 per cent. In phase-2 it was 54.99 per cent and in the 3rd phase the turnout was 54.24 per cent,” Sinha said, adding average of all the four phases was 55.41 per cent.
Nayak said police opened fire and used “mild” lathicharge at Rataura Village of Raghunathpur constituency in Siwan District where tension prevailed after BJP candidate Manoj Kumar Singh complained about alleged irregularities at some polling stations.
In the seven districts which went to poll in the 4th phase, the NDA sees itself “on a firm footing” vis-à-vis the Grand alliance.
Both the warring groupings are, however, claiming that the fourth round would provide them a decisive lead over the other. The BJP had won 26 out of 55 seats in seven districts of Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Gopalganj and Siwan in 2010 Assembly polls. Its then ally JD(U) had emerged victorious in 24. The RJD had won 2 seats and Independents 3.
The polling held for the fourth phase from 7 am to 5 pm in 43 constituencies, while it has been shortened by one hour in 8 seats and voting ended at 3 pm in four seats, said R lakshamanan, Additional Chief Electoral Officer.
Arrangements were made on a total of 14,139 polling booths for 1,46,93,294 electorate to exercise their franchise in this phase in which 776 candidates including 57 women are contesting.
Altogether 1,163 companies (each comprising 100 personnel) of Central Paramilitary Force and State police will be posted to ensure free and fair elections. A total of 38 motor boats are engaged for riverine patrolling.
Prominent personalities whose fate would be decided in this phase are senior Minister Ramai Ram (Bochaha), Ranju Geeta (Bajpatti) and Manoj Kushwaha (Kudni). Ramai Ram, popularly called as “Bhisma Pitamah” in his Bochaha constituency, has won the seat nine times since 1972 and this is his 10th bid to enter Assembly. He is challenged by Anil Sadhu, son-in-law of lJP chief Ramvilas Paswan, who had been seen crying on TV after ticket was denied to him in the first place. later, lJP fielded him from Bochaha.
RJD president lalu Prasad’s native village Phulwaria in Gopalganj district which is part of Hathwa constituency is also voting in this round. Sitting MlA Ram Sewak Singh has been fielded by the JD(U) from the seat. Former Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha leader Mahachandra Prasad Singh is fighting against him on the seat.