The upcoming assembly elections in Bihar have an estimated first-time voter population of more than 5,700 per constituency an outcome that is likely to be decisive considering the narrowing victory margins being experienced in recent surveys.
According to the Election Commission, there are 14.01 lakh first-time voters in Bihar, who are 18-19 years in 243 constituencies with 5,765 on average number of new voters per seat.
This is an improvement of 2020 but still less than the 24.13 lakh in 2015.First-time voters represent 1.88 percent of the total electorate, as compared to the 1.53 percent in 2020.There were 56 seats, or nearly a quarter of the constituencies in Bihar, in 2020, with winning margins which are less than the average in the new voter category in this year, showing the possible influence of this group.The total number of electors of Bihar is more than 7.4 crore: 3.92 crore men and 3.5 crore women voters, and the voting will be done in 90,712 stations.
It has been observed by political parties and observers that the rising popularity of the first-time voters will be counted in the constituencies facing a close call, and the policies targeted at the youth and the campaign promises become all the more significant.
Key parties will exert more efforts to court young voters especially regarding the areas of employment, education and social transformation.
Bihar Assembly Election will take place in two stages, 6 and 11 November and the results will be announced on November 14.The Chief Election Commissioner has promised to have a transparent and peaceful election process and there are firm security measures at all the polling stations.
The fact that there are more than 5,700 first-time voters per constituency will present a new flow of energy in Bihar elections as it will leave both the challenges and opportunities to the political parties aspiring to gain an advantage over the rival parties in an ever so competitive electoral process.
