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Patna, November 6 (IANS) Voting for the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections is underway on Thursday amid tight security arrangements at all polling stations in 121 constituencies in 18 districts.
Voting began at a normal pace at 7 am, but Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was among the first to cast his vote. He reached a polling booth in Bakhtiyarpur constituency with a small party and exercised his franchise.
After casting his vote, the Chief Minister also showed his inked finger in front of the media persons.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister also appealed to every voter of Bihar to come out of their homes and participate in the celebration of democracy by exercising their franchise.
Taking to X, he wrote, “In a democracy, voting is not only our right but also our responsibility. Today, the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections is taking place – all voters are requested to exercise their right to vote. Vote and inspire others to do the same. First voting, then refreshments.”
The fate of 1,314 candidates will be sealed in the first phase, which includes 1,192 men and 122 women.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 37,513,302 voters, including 19,835,325 male, 17,677,219 female and 758 third-gender voters, will decide the fate of 1,314 candidates in the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections.
13.13 percent voting was recorded in the first two hours.
Over 37.5 million voters across 121 assembly seats will decide the political future of 1,314 candidates. In this phase, the political future of many stalwarts of NDA and Grand Alliance is at stake.
On the seats where voting is taking place in the first phase, 121 candidates of NDA and 126 candidates of Grand Alliance are contesting.
The assembly constituencies where voting is taking place include Madhepura, Saharsa, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Munger, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Patna and Bhojpur districts.
–IANS
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