By Kaveesha FernandoÂ
BIHAR, India (CWBN) – The counting of votes begins today for the recently concluded Bihar Assembly Election 2020. The counting is being held under health and safety guidelines related to the prevention of COVID-19; the number of counting centers have been increased, face masks have been made mandatory and hand sanitiser and other facilities have also been made freely available.Â
The election was held in 3 phases – on October 28, November 3 and November 7 respectively. Over 3700 candidates contested this time for 243 assembly seats – 122 seats are needed to gain a majority in the assembly. Voter turnout appears to be higher among women –Â 60% of women and 55% of men are reported to have exercised their franchise this election.Â
There was a 63% increase in polling booths this year as compared to the number of booths in the 2015 assembly polls – officials hoped that the increase would prevent the spread of COVID-19. Postal voting rules were relaxed to allow persons above the age of 65 and those who have contracted COVID-19 or who were in self-quarantine etc. to vote by mail. Poll workers and service members (members of the armed forces and those serving India abroad and their families) could also vote by mail as usual.Â
Nitish Kumar seeks fresh mandate
Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar is seeking his fourth consecutive term in office. Exit polls indicated that the chief minister, leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), appears to be trailing behind Tejashwi Yadav who leads the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance). However, experts caution against sole reliance on exit polls as they have been wrong in the past. Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party contested alone. His attacks on Nithish Kumar have sparked tensions between the two parties, both allies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – India’s ruling party. Early results indicate that the NDA is ahead of the Grand Alliance – if the trend continues, the polls will be proven wrong again.Â
Counting began at 8am India Standard Time (IST) and is scheduled to be concluded by the end of the day.Â
Edited by Elishya Perera
