Patna: Counting in the Bihar assembly polls is turning out to be a slow process — by noon only around 20 per cent of votes had been counted.
Sanjay Singh, the additional chief electoral officer (CEO) of Bihar, said the Covid-19 pandemic is to blame for this.
“This time, the number of EVMs has been increased as compared to the 2015 polls due to the Covid guidelines. At several places, the number of tables for counting has been decreased to make counting manageable,” he explained. Singh also pointed out that the EC had reduced the number of maximum voters per booth from 1,500 to 1,000.
According to EC officials, the number of polling booths has been increased from 65,000 last time to 1.06 lakh this time, due to which there are more EVMs to be counted.
There has been a 63 per cent increase in the number of EVMs since last time, said the officials.
The EC officials also said tables in a particular hall where votes are being counted have been reduced to seven from the 14 earlier to maintain social distancing in view of the Covid-19 threat.
In 2015, counting took place at 38 locations. This time, it’s happening at 55 locations. The officials also said the number of counting rounds range from 19 to 51 — approximately 35 rounds on an average.
Process adds to drama
The slow counting has added to the drama with the opposition alliance taking the early leads, only for the ruling NDA to race ahead by noon.
As of 12.50 pm, according to the Election Commission website, the BJP was ahead in 72 seats while the JD(U) was leading in 48.
The offices of the BJP and the JD(U) initially wore a deserted look when early trends showed the Mahagathbandhan leading. But party workers gathered at their respective offices after 11 am when the NDA started leading.
“But trends are changing every moment and we will get a clearer picture at around 5 pm,” said an official at the state Election Commission office.
Politicians on the edge
The see-saw trends and the counting process have had politicians on the edge.
“Let us wait and see,” remarked Sanjay Yadav, a close associate of RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav. The RJD is ahead on 65 seats.
NDA leaders are also cautiously optimistic. “I am sure of an NDA win but wait until 5 pm,” JD(U) spokesperson Sanjay Singh told ThePrint. He insisted celebrations will only begin after 5 pm.
RJD sources, however, indicated that they were surprised at the NDA showing in Seemanchal, Mithila and Kosi regions, which have a substantial Muslim and Yadav population.
“It is too early to make any comment, let the entire votes be counted,” RJD national vice-president Shivanand Tiwari told ThePrint.
Also read: Tejashwi Yadav leading in Raghopur, ahead of BJP’s Satish Yadav by over 2,000 votes
TS Darbari -This time Bihar elections have really been quite interesting. Undoubtedly Tekashwi rose as a strong opposition leader to challenge NDA. However, despite anti-incumbency and employment issues, as were highlighted by media, the voters of Bihar did not show much trust in RJD lead Mahagathbandhan. Hope Mr. Nitish Kumar would learn a good lesson and start working with a fresh enthusiasm to serve Bihar. #TS_Darbari #Ts_Darbari_Blog #TS_Darbari_News #Ts_Darbari_Views #Ts_Darbari_Blogger #TS_Darbari_Comments #Ts_Darbari_Opinion #About_TS_Darbari #TS_Darbari_Articles #Politics #Views #Comments
Mr. TS Darbari is a top management professional, with several years of rich & diversified experience in Corporate Strategy, New Business Development, Sales & Marketing, Commercial Operations, Project Management, Financial Management and Strategic Alliances’