A total of 71 assembly segments of the state’s 243 constituencies are voting in the first phase in which nearly 2.15 crore voters will decide the electoral fate of over 1,000 candidates. As the Bihar Legislative Assembly Election takes place in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, several guidelines have been issued by the Election Commission for the safe conduct of the electoral exercise.
ECI says voting underway in accordance with COVID protocol
पटना:COVID-19 प्रोटोकॉल के साथ जारी मतदान @CEOBihar @ECISVEEP @dm_patna @kumravi pic.twitter.com/a1fEjL69OX
— SVEEP CELL, PATNA (@SveepP) October 28, 2020
In times of Corona, Bihar needs a stable government: PM Modi
Bihar needs to maintain a stable government in this difficult time of epidemic. A government that will ensure development and good governance, says PM Modi
Only NDA can fulfil Bihar’s aspirations: Modi
Speaking at a rally in Patna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the people that only the NDA can understand and fulfil the aspirations of the poor and middle class in Bihar and not those who “only thought of their families”.
“Just like you can save yourself from COVID-19 with a mask, similarly, with a single vote you can save Bihar from becoming ‘bimar’,” he said.
Cannot compete with PM in terms of lying: Rahul Gandhi
Hitting out at the Centre over demonetisation and lockdown, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Balmiki Nagar that the actions were aimed at small farmers, small businesses, traders and labourers.
“Now, the Prime Minister doesn’t say in speeches that he’ll give jobs to 2 crore youths. He knows he was lying and people also know it. I guarantee, if PM comes here and says he’ll give 2 crore jobs, the crowd will chase him away,” he further added.
“We gave MNREGA, waived off farmers’ loans. We know how to run the country, stand with farmers and generate employment, but yes, we do lack one thing – we don’t know how to lie. We cannot compete with him (PM) at lying,” Rahul Gandhi said.
BJP files complaint against Rahul Gandhi over tweet
The BJP filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his tweet, alleging it sought votes for the Mahagathbandhan. The tweet said that voting for the RJD-Congress-Left combine will be a vote for jobs, justice and farmers’ welfare.
The complaint sought legal action against the leader for violating the Model Code of Conduct.
Jitan Ram Manjhi casts vote
Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi cast his vote at a polling booth in Gaya. He expressed confidence that out of the 71 seats that went to polls today, NDA will comfortably win in around 50 seats.
Bihar: Former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi casts his vote at a polling booth in Gaya during the first phase of state assembly elections.
“Out of 71 seats in phase-1, NDA will comfortably win around 50 seats,” he said. pic.twitter.com/xESfOf6Oqu
— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2020
In a first, Modi goes after Tejashwi Yadav during poll rally
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a first today, took on 31-year-old Tejashwi Yadav, the Chief Ministerial candidate of the opposition, a move that was not lost on poll watchers and analysts.
मोदी ने तेजस्वी का तवज्जो दी यानी तेजस्वी का असर है ! #बिहारचुनाव #बिहार_में_बदलाव #बिहारविधानसभाचुनाव #BiharWithNDA #BiharPolls #BiharElections #BiharElections2020 #Bihar #BiharAssemblyElection2020 https://t.co/7TQ9WrYXYK
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) October 28, 2020
At least 46.29 percent of the nearly 2.14 crore voters have already cast there vote up till 3 pm in the first phase of Bihar elections. With three more hours of voting left, the numbers give hope that the voting percentage may break last election’s record.
