Bihar Elections: Like In Previous Four Phases, Women Outnumber Men By 7.55% | News World India

The fifth and last phase of the Bihar assembly elections, which saw polling in 57 constituencies spread over nine districts of Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnea, Katihar, Madhepura, Saharsa and Darbhanga, recorded 60% voter turnout on Thursday.

The overall polling percentage in five phases was recorded at 56.80%, much more than 52.65% registered in 2010 assembly polls. Like in previous four phases, women voters (63.60%) outnumbered men (56.05%) on Thursday too.

Katihar district’s two assembly seats — Barari and Korha (SC) — recorded 72.66% and 72.26% polling, respectively. Katihar district, which is in the Seemanchal region and has a high Muslim population, recorded 67.27% polling. Other four districts of Seemanchal — Kishanganj, Purnea, Araria and Supaul — recorded 64.39%, 62.95%, 62% and 58.60% voting, respectively.

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Mithilanchal’s Madhubani and Darbhanga districts recorded 55.87% and 58.27% polling, respectively. Madhepura and Saharsa, which are part of the Kosi region, recorded 57.84% and 50.78% voting, respectively.

High voter turnout in the Seemanchal region can be considered as a good sign for the Grand Alliance. Also, there are reports of split in the votes of Extremely Backward Castes (EBC) in the areas covered under the fifth phase. Reports from Madhubani suggested division among the Nishads (the caste of fishermen). As per initial reports, voting pattern in Darbhanga’s Alinagar seat suggested division in the votes of Yadavs. BJP has fielded Misrilal Yadav against RJD’s Muslim face Abdul Bari Siddiqui in Alinagar.