Security Tightened as Bankipur By‑Election Results Awaited

Patna authorities have heightened security ahead of the Bankipur by‑election count slated to start at 8 a.m. Monday at AN College. Multiple routes leading to the venue have been rerouted to manage crowd flow and prevent disruptions.

The counting procedure will begin with a 30‑minute verification of postal ballots, after which electronic votes will be tallied. Results from each of the 30 counting phases will be released in real time.

A total of 422 polling stations will be processed across 14 tables, with roughly 50 officials and additional reserve staff overseeing the operation. Officials anticipate completing the count by 4 p.m.

The Election Commission noted an average voter participation of 34.16 percent for the Thursday poll.

The seat fell vacant when BJP national president Nitin Naveen resigned from the state legislature after being elected to the Rajya Sabha. The BJP’s nominee is Niraj Kumar Sinha, while the Jana Suraj Party fields founder Prashant Kishor and the RJD presents Rekha Gupta. Twenty‑two other candidates are also contesting.

Bankipur has remained a BJP stronghold since 1995, with Nitin Naveen securing four successive victories. However, the result will not alter the current power balance in Bihar, as the NDA already enjoys a full majority in the assembly.