Bihar Election 2025: Clashes Between BJP and Congress Supporters in Araria, Villagers in Nawada Chase Away BJP Candidate — 47.62% Voting Till 1 PM
Patna, Bihar (Election News 2025): The second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 is underway across 122 constituencies spread over 20 districts. As of 1 PM, the voter turnout stood at 47.62%, which is nearly 6% higher than the first phase of polling. The enthusiasm among voters is being seen across both rural and urban areas, with Kishanganj recording the highest turnout of 51.86% till now.
The second phase is being seen as extremely crucial for all political parties, including the BJP, Congress, RJD, and JD(U), as it will decide the fate of several senior ministers and key leaders. A total of 1,302 candidates, including 12 sitting ministers, are contesting in this phase. More than 3.7 crore registered voters are expected to cast their votes at 45,399 polling booths, out of which 4,109 have been declared sensitive by the Election Commission of India.
Violence and Political Clashes During Voting
The otherwise peaceful polling atmosphere witnessed moments of tension in several parts of the state. In Araria district, a violent clash broke out between supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, resulting in chaos outside a polling booth. Security personnel had to intervene to disperse the crowd and restore order.
A dramatic incident occurred in Nawada, where BJP candidate Anil Singh was chased away by villagers in Dhariya. The locals accused him of failing to deliver on development promises, saying, “He never worked for our area.” The Election Commission officials confirmed that the situation was brought under control shortly after the incident.
Similarly, in Bagaha, around 15,000 voters boycotted polling in protest over the lack of basic infrastructure, including drinking water, proper roads, and bridges. Local authorities have reached out to the aggrieved villagers, urging them to participate in the democratic process.
EVM Glitches and Technical Delays
Technical malfunctions were reported from several districts, delaying the polling process. In Banka’s Katoria constituency, voting at Booth No. 76 began nearly one and a half hours late due to an EVM malfunction. Likewise, Booth No. 299 in Kishanganj witnessed a 45-minute delay in the commencement of polling for the same reason.
Similar complaints were reported from Aurangabad, Jamui, and Jehanabad. In Jamui’s Chakai seat, polling at Booth No. 301 was delayed by 40 minutes after a VVPAT machine developed a fault. Meanwhile, in Aurangabad’s Daudnagar booth, voting began 40 minutes late due to EVM failure.
Purnia MP Pappu Yadav alleged that these recurring EVM glitches were not accidental. “These are deliberate attempts to influence the results by slowing down the process,” he said while demanding an official inquiry into the matter.
Tragic Incident in Arwal
A sad incident was reported from Arwal, where Presiding Officer Arvind Kumar collapsed while performing his duty at polling booth number 189. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Election officials have expressed condolences to his family and assured support as per the Election Commission’s service guidelines.
Security Arrangements and Border Vigilance
Tight security arrangements have been made at all sensitive polling stations. More than 60,000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure free and fair elections. In the Raxaul region, which shares an international border with Nepal, strict checking of vehicles and movement of people is being carried out to prevent any illegal activities during the voting process.
Polling Timings and Result Date
Voting at sensitive booths will conclude at 5 PM, while polling at all other stations will continue till 6 PM. Counting of votes for both phases of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 will take place on November 14, when the final results will be announced.
Summary
The second phase of the Bihar election is witnessing a mixture of enthusiasm, tension, and technical challenges. While a higher turnout signals strong public participation, sporadic incidents of violence and EVM glitches have raised concerns about the conduct of free and fair elections. Political analysts believe the results of this phase will play a decisive role in shaping the next government in Bihar.
