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What happened
In a pivotal state election, Bihar achieved a record voter turnout of 64.66%, the highest ever recorded in the state. This election, which is being conducted in two phases, is critical as it serves as a precursor to several upcoming state polls. The Election Commission reported long queues at polling stations, with over 400,000 staff managing the process across 45,341 polling stations. The election follows a controversial revision of electoral rolls, which the opposition alleges could exclude genuine voters and benefit Prime Minister Modi's BJP. Key political figures, including JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar and RJD's Lalu Prasad Yadav, are closely watched as they may be participating in their last election. Analysts suggest that female voters, who constitute nearly half of the electorate, are expected to play a significant role, with both alliances targeting them through welfare schemes.
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Key insights
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1
High Voter Engagement
Record turnout indicates strong public interest in the election.
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2
Controversial Voter Roll Revision
Allegations of voter suppression have raised concerns about electoral fairness.
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3
Role of Female Voters
Women are increasingly influential in voting patterns in Bihar.
Takeaways
The record voter turnout in Bihar's state election highlights significant public engagement and raises questions about electoral integrity amid allegations of voter suppression. The results could have lasting implications for the political landscape in Bihar and beyond.