Patna: Soon after the first phase of election was over in Bihar, where voting took place in 121 of the 243 constituencies on Thursday, the Election Commission proudly claimed that Bihar had recorded a highest-ever turnout at 64.66 per cent.

The EC had reasons to be happy. After all, it was the highest percentage since the first election held in 1951-52. And the Thursday figure had surpassed 62.57 per cent of the 2000 Assembly polls in undivided Bihar when the State had 324 seats.

While the EC’s morale is high after the record turnout, political parties across the fence are worried about what the huge turnout means.

Claims and counterclaims

The ruling party is claiming that the record turnout means women, like in the 2015 and 2020 elections, have rooted for the NDA in general and Chief

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