Bihar election: A day after poll debacle, Rahul calls on Kharge

Hyderabad: Counting of votes begins for Jubilee Hills bypoll

The Jubilee Hills seat fell vacant following the demise of sitting BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath; by-elections were held on November 11.

Counting of votes begins

The counting of votes has begun at 8 am at 46 counting centres across 38 districts in the state. More than 18,000 counting agents appointed by the candidates are overseeing the counting process.

Tejashwi Yadav: 'We are going to win, a change is about to come'

Mahagathbandhan's CM face Tejashwi Yadav confident of alliance's win.

Pappu Yadav: 'BJP cannot win any election without lying'

Independent candidate Pappu Yadav attacks BJP ahead of vote counting. He says he is confident of Mahagathbandhan's win.

Sattu parathas, jalebis being prepared at BJP HQ in Delhi

BJP gets ready to celebrate ahead of vote counting. Sattu parathas and jalebis being prepared at the party's headquaters in Delhi.

Bihar's Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha: 'We will accept the mandate of Janta Malik'

Bihar's Deputy CM and BJP candidate from the Lakhisarai seat Vijay Kumar Sinha offers prayers at Ashokdham temple.

Elaborate security measures in place

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for counting of votes across 46 centres in 38 districts of the state, officials said.

Schools in Patna will remain closed on Friday in view of the counting exercise, they said.

Bihar had registered a historic voter turnout of 67.13 per cent in the elections to the 243-member assembly in two phases on November 6 and November 11. A total of 7.45 crore voters were eligible to decide the electoral fate of 2,616 candidates.

“Counting arrangements have been made in all the 243 assembly constituencies. The exercise will be conducted by 243 Returning Officers in the presence of 243 Counting Observers and the candidates or their agents.

“A total of 4,372 counting tables, each staffed with one supervisor, counting assistant and micro-observer have been set up. More than 18,000 Counting Agents appointed by the nominees will also oversee the process,” the Election Commission said in a statement.

Counting of votes will commence at 8 am on Friday.

“As per the Commission’s directions, postal ballot counting will begin first, and counting of EVMs will start at 8.30 am,” it said.

“Adequate number of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and personnel of the Bihar Police have been deployed across the state to ensure smooth counting, and prevent any untoward incident,” a senior officer said.

He said 106 companies of security personnel from outside the state have also been deployed.

A poll official said EVMs and VVPATs used in the elections have been sealed inside strong rooms under a double-lock system.

“A two-tier security has been ensured at the counting centres. While the inner tier has been assigned to the CAPF, state police have been deployed at the outer rung. Besides, 24/7 CCTV surveillance and other security provisions are in place,” he added. 

RJD leader booked for 'inflammatory' remarks day ahead of counting

RJD leader Sunil Kumar was on Thursday booked for making “inflammatory remarks”, police said.

Speaking to reporters in Patna earlier in the day, Kumar had said, "People have voted for a change. Tejashwi Yadav's government will be formed in 2025. In 2020, the counting was halted for four hours, and if something like that happens this time as well, we will see a Nepal-like situation on the streets... Responsible officials will not be spared " The video of his statement has since gone viral on social media.

“His remarks are provocative and inflammatory, and may adversely impact the law and order situation. A case has been registered against him and appropriate action will be taken accordingly,” said Nitish Chandra Dhariya, Deputy SP, Cyber Cell (Patna district).

Reacting to the RJD leader’s comments, Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan told reporters, “They are trying to create an atmosphere of anarchy… It is worrying, when a prominent party of the country is trying to provoke people; it means they know they're losing.” “I have full faith in the people of Bihar... Nobody wants the return of 'jungle raj'. We are going to form the government with a thumping majority… We will cross 150 seats. The strong NDA government will take Bihar on the path of change," Paswan asserted. 

INDIA bloc wary of conspiracy during counting, urges EC to ensure impartiality

The Opposition INDIA bloc in Bihar, led by its Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav, on Thursday voiced apprehension of a "conspiracy" during counting of votes for the state assembly polls, allegedly at the behest of the ruling NDA.

At a press conference in Patna hours before the commencement of counting, Yadav, who was accompanied by CPI-ML Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and AICC in charge for Bihar Krishna Allavaru, among others, appealed to the Election Commission to ensure "impartiality" in counting of votes.

The RJD leader recounted the 2020 assembly elections when, he claimed: "Mahagathbandhan was certain to form the government, but for manipulations by pliant officials".

"Mahagathbandhan was going to form the government with a clear majority. We were confident. Officials who cross the limit (this time), or try to repeat the 2020 episode, or if they act on the direction of any political leadership, they must think that they are committing a wrong. They must ensure impartial counting," he said.

They must follow people's mandate, Yadav added.

"We know that people have decided to oust the NDA government. We know that officials are getting directions from those who are sitting in Delhi. We suspect that counting may be delayed. But our people are alert. And we are winning with a comfortable margin. We expect that the ECI will ensure impartial counting," he said.

Police personnel arrive for counting day duty

Police personnel in Gaya Ji for counting day duty.