The Bihar Assembly elections drew to a close earlier this week with a record number of votes turning up to cast their ballots. The two-phased polls saw a high-octane campaign led by key politicians including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Data from the election commission indicated a higher voter turnout from all constituencies where the top politician had campaigned.
The Prime Minister had begun his Bihar election campaign with a rally in Samastipur alongside Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He ultimately addressed a total of 14 rallies across the state as well as a roadshow in Patna — all packed in a timespan of less than one month.
“I had started my campaign by visiting the birthplace of Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur, and today I am bringing it to a close at the land where Bapu Gandhi transformed into the Mahatma”, he had said during a final election meeting in Bettiah last week.
Record numbers
More than 7.4 crore voters cast their votes across 38 districts to determine the fate of 2,616 candidates during the Bihar elections. The second phase of polling in Bihar saw a massive voter turnout of 68.76% — the highest recorded in the history of the state — while the first phase saw voter turnout of 65.06%.The overall polling percentage for the two phases stood at 66.91%. According to the Election Commission, this was the highest voter turnout recorded in the State since 1951.
“Today, voters have also made history in independent India. They cast the highest percentage of votes in all elections held since 1951, at approximately 66.9%. Women have expressed their complete faith in the Election Commission, resulting in the highest voter turnout ever, at 71%. These transparent and peaceful elections in Bihar have shown the whole of India a lesson. The Election Commission has always stood with its voters, stands with them, and will continue to do so,” exulted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Higher turnout after rallies?
Election Commission data suggests that the seats where PM Modi campaigned saw a corresponding surge in voter turnout during the two-phased polls.
Modi began his Bihar outreach efforts with a visit to Samastipur on October 24. He had paid tribute to socialist leader and Bharat Ratna awardee ‘Jananayak’ Karpuri Thakur — visiting his ancestral village and meeting the family of the late leader. He then addressed two election rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai. Samastipur saw a voter turnout of 71.74% while Begusarai saw 69.87% of voters in attendance.
Subsequent rallies also saw a similar trend:
Samastipur – 71.74% voter turnout
Begusarai – 69.87% voter turnout
Bhagalpur – 67.75% voter turnout
Araria – 70.62% voter turnout
Bhabua (Kaimur) – 68.57% voter turnout
Aurangabad – 65.47% voter turnout
Bettiah (West Champaran) – 71.38% voter turnout
Sitamarhi – 67.21% voter turnout
Katihar – 79.10% voter turnout
Saharsa – 69.38% voter turnout |
