Patna (Udaipur Kiran): Counting of votes for all 243 seats of the Bihar Assembly is underway. Postal ballots were counted first, followed by EVM votes. As per the latest trends, the NDA is leading on 103 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan is ahead on 55 seats. Prashant Kishor’s party Jan Suraaj is showing leads on 2 seats, and independents and others are ahead on 8 seats.

From Raghopur, Tejashwi Yadav is leading against NDA candidate Satish Yadav. His elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav is also ahead from Mahua.

Across all counting centres, 14 EVMs are being counted per round, with 14 tables set up at each location. The Barbigha result is expected to be announced first.

A total of 46 counting centres have been set up in 38 districts. Over 400 reporters from Bhaskar are providing continuous ground-level updates. By 12 PM, the result of nearly 2,616 candidates is expected to become clearer, including outcomes for 29 ministers of the Nitish government, Anant Singh, and 15 other strongmen candidates.

Security has been tightened across the state. A water cannon has been stationed outside the counting centre in Motihari, while security around the CM House in Patna has also been increased. Strict arrangements are in place at all counting locations.

This year’s Bihar election was conducted in two phases, recording a historic 67.10% voter turnout, nearly 10% higher than the 2020 Assembly polls.