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Security has been beefed up across Bihar ahead of the second and final phase of Assembly elections today, following the deadly explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort metro station that left at least eight people dead on Monday.
Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar said a state-wide high alert had been issued in light of the incident, with all security wings instructed to maintain strict vigil to prevent any untoward activity during polling.
“A high-security alert has been sounded across Bihar following the explosion near the Red Fort metro station. All wings of Bihar Police have been directed to maintain close watch and extraordinary vigil to thwart any attempt by anti-national elements by intensifying area domination patrolling and search operations,” said DGP Kumar.
The Bihar Police, already on alert for the polling scheduled today, has stepped up deployment and surveillance across all 38 districts. According to officials, over four lakh security personnel have been pressed into service to ensure peaceful voting.
According to a report filed by Times Now, 8,491 polling station locations have been marked as “critical,” where forces will remain extra vigilant throughout the day. Additionally, 13,651 hamlets across 122 constituencies have been identified as “vulnerable” and will be under enhanced security cover.
To bolster the state’s security grid, around 500 companies, nearly 50,000 personnel, of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) had already been deployed for pre-election duties. Another 500 companies were subsequently sent to Bihar to assist in the final phase.
The massive security arrangement also includes 2,000 reserve battalion personnel from other states, 30,000 members of the Bihar Special Armed Police, over 20,000 home guards, 19,000 trainee constables, and nearly 1.5 lakh village-level chowkidars.
The Election Commission of India has announced that polling will take place from 7 am to 5 pm, with extended hours in sensitive areas and additional time for voters already in queues. It has urged voters to reach polling stations early and follow all election-day protocols to avoid last-minute rush.
The second phase is expected to witness high voter turnout as it covers key constituencies that could decide the state’s political direction. The first phase, held on 6 November across 121 constituencies, saw a record-breaking turnout of over 65 per cent, the highest in Bihar’s electoral history.
