Bihar's highest ever voter turnout victory of democracy: CEC Gyanesh Kumar

New Delhi: Bihar recording highest-ever voter turnout in the first phase of assembly polls is victory of democracy, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said on Thursday, lauding the "transparent and dedicated" election machinery.

"Bihar has shown the way to the nation. SIR with Zero Appeals and highest voter turnout since 1951. Purest electoral rolls and enthusiastic participation of electors. Transparent and dedicated election machinery. Democracy wins. It has been an amazing journey for ECI," the CEC said.

Bihar recorded the highest-ever voter turnout of nearly 65 per cent, provisionally, at the close of polling in 121 seats in the first phase of assembly elections on Thursday.

In the last assembly polls in 2020, held under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, the polling percentage was 57.29.

The previous highest voter turnout in the state was recorded in 2000 at 62.57 per cent.

In the first Lok Sabha polls in 1951-52, Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 40.35 per cent -- the lowest.

In the 1998 parliamentary polls, the state recorded its highest-ever turnout of 64.6 per cent.

The remaining 122 seats of the 243-member Bihar Assembly will go to polls on November 11, while the counting will take place on November 14.