Patna: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar on November dismissed the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) allegations of deliberate power cuts at certain polling stations during the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, terming the claims “completely baseless and misleading.”
In response to the RJD’s post on X, the CEO’s office clarified that voting across the state was proceeding “smoothly” and that the Election Commission of India was “ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process”.
“This allegation is completely baseless and misleading. Voting is taking place smoothly at all polling stations in Bihar. The Election Commission of India is following all standard protocols to ensure that the voting process is fair, transparent, and uninterrupted. There is no basis for such misleading propaganda,” the CEO wrote on X.
यह आरोप पूरी तरह निराधार और भ्रामक है। बिहार में सभी मतदान केन्द्रों पर सुचारू रूप से मतदान चल रहा है। भारत निर्वाचन आयोग मतदान प्रक्रिया को निष्पक्ष, पारदर्शी और निर्बाध बनाने के लिए सभी मानक प्रोटोकॉल का पालन कर रहा है। ऐसे भ्रामक प्रचार का कोई आधार नहीं है। https://t.co/4ZAErlSTt5
— Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar (@CEOBihar) November 6, 2025
Earlier in the day, the RJD had claimed that electricity supply was being “cut off intermittently” at booths considered strongholds of the Mahagathbandhan alliance to “slow down” the pace of voting. The party urged the Election Commission to take “immediate cognisance” of what it described as “rigging with malicious intent.”
“During the voting in the first phase, electricity is being cut off intermittently at the strong booths of the Mahagathbandhan with the intention of slowing down the voting. Slow voting is being deliberately caused. Please, the Election Commission, take immediate cognizance of such rigging with malicious intent and take prompt action,” RJD wrote on X tagging the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar.
The first phase of polling for the Bihar Assembly elections began today in 121 constituencies across 18 districts amid tight security arrangements. It covers approximately 3.75 crore electors and 243 seats.
Earlier, the Election Commission of India (ECI) urged all eligible voters to exercise their franchise on Thursday, asserting that “Bihar is ready” for the “festival of Democracy”. In a post on X, the Poll body said that the “voters are welcome at the polling station.”
42 per cent voter turnout till 1pm
Meanwhile Bihar recorded a brisk voter turnout of 42.31 per cent as of 1 pm in the first phase of assembly elections, as per the data of the Election Commission of India.
Among the 18 districts, Gopalganj recorded the highest turnout of 46.73 per cent, followed by Lakhisarai with 46.37 per cent and Begusarai with 46.02 per cent, till 1 pm.
Patna, the capital of Bihar, continue to record sluggish voter turnout among all districts with a turnout of 37.72 per cent.
A turnout of 41.15 per cent was recorded in Bhojpur, followed by 41.10 per cent in Buxar, 39.35 per cent in Darbhanga, 42.94 per cent in Khagaria, 44.16 per cent in Madhepura, 41.47 per cent in Munger, 45.41 per cent in Muzaffarpur, 41.87 per cent in Nalanda, 44.20 per cent in Saharsa, 43.03 per cent in Samastipur, 43.06 per cent in Saran, 41.23 per cent in Sheikhpura, 41.20 per cent in Siwan and 42.60 per cent in Vaishali – all as of 1 pm.
Among the key constituencies, Raghopur recorded a turnout of 43.3 per cent, Mahua 40.41 per cent, Alinagar per cent, Tarapur 44.35 per cent, Lakhisarai 44.20 per cent, Chapra 39.57 per cent, Bankipur 25 per cent, Phulwari 40.98 per cent, Raghunathpur 42.23 per cent, Siwan 40.19 per cent and Mokama 41.78 per cent.
The first phase of the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar commenced on Thursday at 7:00 am across 121 constituencies in 18 districts of the state, covering approximately 3.75 crore electors.
Polling will conclude at 6 pm, and due to security considerations, polling time has been curtailed to 5 pm in some constituencies.
The first phase will decide the fate of several senior leaders, including RJD’s Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Mangal Pandey and JD(U)’s Shravan Kumar and Vijay Kumar Choudhary. Tej Pratap Yadav is also in the fray in the first phase.
In 2020, polling took place in three phases. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had secured 125 seats, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB) won 110.Among the major parties, the Janata Dal (United) bagged 43 seats, the BJP bagged 74, the RJD secured 75 seats and the Congress 19. The JD(U) contested 115 constituencies, the BJP 110, whereas the RJD contested 144 seats and the Congress 70. (ANI)
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