Record 67.13% turnout sets stage for Bihar verdict today, exit polls favour NDA

After historic voting in the two phases of the Bihar Assembly elections, preparations for vote counting are now in full swing. Counting of votes will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday at 46 counting centres across the state. District administrations have issued strict instructions to ensure security and maintain law and order during the counting process.

According to the Election Commission of India, the Model Code of Conduct will remain in effect till 16 November. Keeping this in view, district administrations have issued notice that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 will remain effective until the conclusion of the Model Code of Conduct.

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Officials have made it clear that any violation of the Model Code of Conduct will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Legal action will be taken against any political party, candidate, or organisation found engaging in activities contrary to the Election Commission’s guidelines.

District administrations have also announced a complete ban on victory processions, public meetings, sit-ins, or demonstrations. The use of loudspeakers and other sound-amplifying devices has also been prohibited. Any activity carried out in violation of permission conditions will invite strict action against the concerned individual or political party.

Brisk polling was witnessed across the state during the two phases of the Bihar Assembly elections held on 6 November and 11 November. The 65.08 per cent voter turnout in the first phase, coupled with 68.79 per cent in the second and final phase, took the overall turnout to a record 67.13 percent, the highest ever in the state’s assembly elections.

Exit polls have given a clear edge to the NDA. If these figures prove accurate, the return of the NDA government seems almost certain. JD(U) supporters are elated and confident, as some exit polls have even predicted that the JD(U) may win more seats than the BJP. At the same time, some exit polls have suggested that the RJD may emerge as the single largest party.

However, the INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial candidate, Tejashwi Yadav, has rejected the exit poll projections, asserting that the alliance will form the government after the counting of votes on Friday.

According to Chanakya Strategies, the NDA is projected to win 130–138 seats, while the INDIA Alliance is expected to get 100–108 seats. The Axis My India exit poll also gives Bihar to the NDA with 121–141 seats and predicts 98–118 seats for the INDIA bloc.

Similarly, Polstrat’s exit poll gives the NDA 133–148 seats and the INDIA bloc 87–102 seats. P-MARK predicts 142–162 seats for the NDA and 80–98 seats for the Opposition’s India bloc. DV Research projects 137–152 seats for the NDA and 83–98 seats for the INDIA bloc, while JVC’s exit poll gives the NDA 135–150 seats and the INDI Alliance 88–103 seats.

However, the Poll Diary exit poll has made a surprising prediction, giving the NDA a massive 184–209 seats, the INDI Alliance 32–49 seats, and other parties 1–5 seats.