Election Commission of India has announced the dates for the Lok Sabha elections for the 40 constituencies in Bihar. The voting will be conducted in seven phases. The first phase of voting will take place on April 19th, while the counting of votes will be on June 4th. According to the schedule released by the Election Commission, the elections in Bihar will be conducted in seven phases: the first phase on April 19, the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1.
Here is the constituency-wise breakdown of the voting phases:
1. First Phase, April 19: Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Jamui
2. Second Phase, April 26: Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur, Banka
3. Third Phase, May 7: Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Khagaria
4. Fourth Phase, May 13: Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Munger
5. Fifth Phase, May 20: Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Saran, Hajipur
6. Sixth Phase, May 25: Valmiki Nagar, West Champaran, East Champaran, Sheohar, Vaishali, Gopalganj, Siwan, Maharajganj
7. Seventh Phase, June 1: Nalanda, Patna Sahib, Pataliputra, Arrah, Buxar, Sasaram, Karakat, Jehanabad
Additionally, there will be by-elections held for 26 assembly constituencies across the country during the seventh phase, including in Bihar.
This election will witness a total of 96.8 crore voters, with 1.89 crore first-time voters. Bihar alone has seen an increase of 12 lakh voters, bringing the total number of voters in the state to 7 crore 64 lakh.
The Chief Election Commissioner emphasized that preparations for the elections are in full swing, with approximately 10.5 lakh polling stations set up across the country. Over 1.5 crore officials will be involved in conducting the elections, and 55 lakh EVMs will be used.
The Lok Sabha elections in 2019 were conducted in seven phases, similar to this year’s schedule. In 2019, the NDA won 39 out of the 40 seats in Bihar.