Bihar election results: The counting could go to 35 rounds
As leads from the counting of votes in Bihar showed the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead and widening the gap with the opposition, the BJP held off on the victory celebrations that usually start when it crosses the majority mark in leads, or when it is at least within striking distance of power.
It was much later, around late afternoon, when the party appeared to be prepping for celebrations at its Delhi headquarters. The roads were being cleared outside the office.
Most political parties refused to commit to any clear trend or result, pointing out that the counting of votes would be a far longer process because of the coronavirus safety measures.
Bihar is the first state to vote in the time of COVID-19 and it has impacted the process.
The Election Commission said the number of polling stations was more than doubled this time but the number of tables had not been increased for the sake of distancing. The number of polling stations were raised from 72,723 earlier to 1,06,515. Also, there were more mail-in votes.
The counting could go to 35 rounds, so the first clear results could be out later in the afternoon, said Election Commission officials.
"We hope to finish the counting as per procedure late tonight," said Chandrabhushan Kumar, Election Commissioner.
"As per law, all postal ballots received till 8 am today are to be taken up for counting. It means postal ballots received at counting centres till at 8 am today need to be taken up for counting. Data related to it will be available at the level of concerned returning officer," said the official.
Election Commission sources said only around 15 per cent of the votes had been counted as of 12.15 pm.
Sources in the BJP said since the counting was slow, only 10 per cent of the votes would have been counted by 10 am, when the NDA was seen crossing the majority mark of 122 in the 243-member assembly.
Usually, before noon, 30 per cent of votes would have been counted.
But the possibility of the results fluctuating was high because in some 30 seats, the margin was less than 500 around 11 am. And in more than 60 seats, it was less than 1,000.
All parties are prepared for a long day ahead.
Between the swings, what was consistent was the BJP maintaining its lead and its ally Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United lagging behind, staring at the prospect of losing Big Brother status in the coalition.
Another persistent trend was the RJD-led opposition settling in the second place, unlike exit poll predictions of its win.
Bihar voted in three rounds from October 28 to November 7.
