Bihar Assembly poll results: NDA continues to maintain lead over grand alliance

After initial lead in the early hours of the day, Tejashwi Yadav-led grand alliance slowly started to lose the sting as National Democratic Alliance (NDA) - which has BJP, Janata Dal (United) and other parties as its constituents- surged ahead to take lead in 123.

The magic number in the 243-seat Bihar Assembly is 122.

The grand alliance is currently leading in 112.

The Election Commission said there has been ''glitch-free counting'' of votes so far in the elections. Counting is expected to be over by late tonight.

Deputy Election Commissioner Chandra Bhushan said at a press conference, ''There has been an absolutely glitch-free counting process so far and no issues have come up.''

He said the counting is not slow and is going at its normal pace.

However, since but the number of EVMs as well as the postal ballots had gone up the counting is expected to go late into the night because of Covid protocols.

''We have close to 63 per cent increase in polling booths in view of Covid protocols. Counting is taking place at 55 locations,'' he said.

The poll panel clarified that EVMs are ''robust and tamper-proof''.

The 69-year-old three-term incumbent Nitish Kumar and 31-year-old Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD are the main contenders for the Chief Ministerial post.

Bihar witnessed the polls in three phases on October 28, November 3 and November 7 and the voter turnout in the Bihar assembly election was at 57.05 percent.