Darbhanga MLC Election Results Announced After 57-Hour Count
The long-awaited results for the Darbhanga Graduates' constituency were finally revealed after an extensive counting process that lasted over two days.
Anil Kumar Jha of RJD won by 4,010 votes against BJP's Sarvesh Kumar.
The counting process was prolonged due to 40 candidates and no initial winner securing the required quota.
5,321 out of 69,141 votes were declared invalid, leading to a valid vote count of 63,820.
The results for the Darbhanga Graduates' constituency in the Bihar Legislative Council elections were announced after a staggering 57-hour counting process, concluding around 9 PM on Thursday. This lengthy exercise was the most extended among the eight constituencies that held elections on October 23, with Anil Kumar Jha from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) emerging victorious over the incumbent BJP MLC Sarvesh Kumar by a margin of 4,010 votes.
The counting delay stemmed from the high number of candidates—40 in total—compared to other constituencies. None of the candidates achieved the necessary quota of votes through first-preference ballots, which necessitated a complex elimination process. District magistrate Kaushal Kumar explained that the winning quota was set at 31,911 votes, calculated based on the total valid votes cast in the constituency.
Throughout the counting, officials faced significant logistical challenges. The first nine hours were dedicated to organizing the ballots, which were mixed to prevent identification by polling booth. Each counting round took approximately three hours, leading to a total of 30 hours spent on validating and counting votes before the elimination process began. Ultimately, 37 candidates were eliminated, leaving Jha and Kumar as the final contenders, with Jha securing victory after the transfer of preference votes.
The delay in announcing the results led to protests from political party agents, prompting the district administration to arrest five individuals for disturbances. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the Election Commission of bias, claiming irregularities during the counting process. However, Jha praised the district officials for their handling of the situation, emphasizing that the counting duration was typical for such a complex election.
Looking ahead, the focus will shift to the implications of this election for the political landscape in Bihar. The RJD's victory in this constituency could signal a shift in voter sentiment, particularly as the state prepares for future elections. The Election Commission will also likely review the counting process to address any concerns raised during this election cycle.
