Bihar polls: Voting held in Bhimbandh in Munger after two decades; villagers say "happy that polling booth set up here"

Munger (Bihar) [India], November 6 : For the first time in two decades, voters in the Naxal-affected Bhimbandh area of Munger district exercised their franchise on Thursday, marking a significant return of democracy to a region where polling was suspended following the killing of SP C Surendra Babu and seven police personnel in 2005.
Voting was conducted peacefully across the three assembly constituencies of Munger district, with visible enthusiasm among residents of Bhimbandh. Seven polling stations were reopened in the Naxal-affected region, and a strong deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) ensured a smooth polling process.
At polling booth number 310, located at the Forest Department Rest House in Tarapur constituency, 374 registered voters, including 170 women, participated in the historic vote.
Eighty-one-year-old voter Vishun Dev Singh, who cast his vote after twenty years, expressed gratitude to the Election Commission and the government.
"Before 2005, we used to vote in our village, but due to Naxalite incidents, the polling stations were moved nearly twenty kilometres away. Elderly and women voters found it difficult to travel that far. Today, voting has taken place in our village after two decades; we are very happy," he said.

First-time voter Badal Pratap, who recently turned 18, said, "Voting is taking place in our village after twenty years. We are happy to finally be able to participate in the democratic process."
Another villager, Dilkhush, said that the return of polling stations would not only strengthen democracy but also open opportunities for local development and education.
Neelam Devi, another resident, said, "Earlier, we had to cross the jungle to vote. Now the booth is nearby and convenient. The arrangements are good, and we feel safe."

Sector Magistrate Ashok Kumar confirmed that polling was being conducted peacefully. "This area is voting after twenty years, and there is visible happiness among the villagers. Central forces have been deployed, and continuous patrolling is underway to maintain security," he said.
A government official at the booth said that authorities had worked to restore voter confidence. "We assured people they could come and vote freely without any fear. Awareness drives were held to encourage participation," the official told ANI.

Another villager said, "Earlier, the situation was not favourable, but now there is peace. The security camp and government facilities have improved our lives. We are living peacefully in the jungle, and everyone, young and old, is voting happily."
Meanwhile, as voting for the first phase of the Bihar elections is underway, Patna's Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Anu Kumari, examined the polling place and other arrangements on Thursday.
According to Kumari, the polling is going well and the administration and police are helping the public."The police and the administration are assisting the public, and the polling is taking place smoothly. There are no issues anywhere... Any kind of minor inconvenience is being met immediately," she told ANI.
Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 27.65 per cent in the first four hours of the first phase of assembly elections, according to the data of the Election Commission of India.
The Begusarai district recorded the highest turnout of 30.37 per cent, while Patna, the capital of the state, recorded a slow turnout of 23.71 per cent till 11 am.
Lakhisarai, which earlier recorded a sluggish turnout at 9 am, has now recorded a turnout of 30.32 per cent till 11 am.
Voting for the first phase of the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar began at 7:00 am across 121 constituencies in 18 districts, covering the state's 243 seats, with approximately 3.75 crore electors casting their ballots.
Polling will conclude at 6 pm; however, due to security considerations, polling time has been curtailed to 5 pm in some constituencies.
Within NDA, JD(U) is contesting 57 seats, followed by BJP on 48 and LJP (Ram Vilas) on 14. In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, polling took place in three phases.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 125 seats, while the opposition won 110.
Among the major parties, the Janata Dal (United) secured 43 seats, while the Congress secured 19. The JD(U) contested 115 constituencies, while the BJP contested 110. The RJD contested 144 seats, and the Congress contested 70. Jan Suraj Party fielded 119 candidates in this phase.
For the remaining 122 seats, voting will take place on November 11, and the results will be declared on November 14.