Patna, 10 Nov

Around 3.70 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,302 candidates across 122 Assembly constituencies on Tuesday as Bihar goes to the second and final phase of polling. The constituencies span West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj, all of which border Nepal.

Security has been significantly strengthened, with over four lakh personnel deployed statewide. Police officials said 8,491 polling stationlocations have been categorised as critical, where forces will maintain heightened vigilance. Bihar has received 1,000 CAPF companies (about 1 lakh personnel) for both phases, alongside 60,000 Bihar Police personnel, 30,000 Bihar Special Armed Police, 20,000 home guards, 19,000 trainee constables, and nearly 1.5 lakh chowkidars.

Nepal, meanwhile, has sealed its border with India for 72 hours, halting vehicular movement through points such as Birgunj–Raxaul, citing security reasons ahead of the Bihar polls. Authorities in Nepal’s Mahottari district said border points will reopen once voting concludes.

In Bihar, 45,399 polling stations have been set up, including 40,073 in rural areas. Several high-profile turncoats are in the fray: Mohania MLA Sangita Kumari (now BJP), Nawada’s Vibha Devi (now JD(U)), and former minister Murari Gautam, contesting Chenari on an LJP (Ram Vilas) ticket.

Women voters number 1.75 crore, while Hisua in Nawada is the largest constituency with 3.67 lakh electors. Lauria, Chanpatia, Raxaul, Triveniganj, Sugauli and Banmakhi have the highest number of candidates at 22 each. More than half the electorate, 2.28 crore, is aged between 30 and 60, and 7.69 lakh voters are in the 18–19 bracket.

The first phase saw a record turnout of over 65 per cent.