Bihar election results: EC says counting likely to end late night; NDA powers to majority

There is a see-saw battle between the two parties. BJP is currently ahead in 72 seats and the RJD is leading on 73.

The Election Commission of India Tuesday said that the significant ground is yet to be covered as only 1 crore of the total 4.10 crore votes have been counted so far and that the final result is expected to come by late tonight.

“Earlier, there used to be 25-26 rounds of counting, but this time it went up to around 35 rounds. So the counting will continue till late evening,” Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar, HR Srinivas said.

However, the latest trends show the NDA is ahead of the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, crossing the half-way mark of 122 seats needed to secure majority in Bihar Assembly.

There is a see-saw battle between the two parties. BJP is currently ahead in 72 seats and the RJD is leading on 73.

Tejashwi Yadav's RJD, projected in exit polls as the clear winner along with other Grand Alliance partners, was leading in 98 seats, while the NDA constituents were ahead in 134 seats. Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party, which was expected to cause a major upset by pulling out of the NDA and fielding a large number of BJP and JD(U) rebels, was leading in only two seats.

Counting of votes has been tardy because of various protocols in place in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The eastern state is the first state to go to polls since the coronavirus pandemic struck earlier this year. The term of the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly will expire on November 29.