The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Thursday leveled allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), claiming that a “deliberate and malicious attempt” was being made to disrupt voting in areas considered strongholds of the Mahagathbandhan (RJD–Congress–Left alliance) during the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections.
Taking to social media platform X, the RJD alleged that power supply was being “cut off intermittently” at polling booths where the Mahagathbandhan enjoys significant support. The party claimed that the interruptions were intended to slow down the pace of voting, thereby damaging the alliance’s electoral prospects.
“Electricity is being cut off intermittently at the strong booths of the Mahagathbandhan with the intention of slowing down the voting. Slow voting is being deliberately caused,” the RJD stated, urging the Election Commission to take immediate cognisance of what it described as “rigging with malicious intent and mala fide intentions.”
The allegations prompted an immediate response from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar, who dismissed the RJD’s claims as “completely baseless and misleading.” The CEO asserted that voting across all polling stations was proceeding smoothly and without disruption, and that all standard protocols were being followed to ensure a fair, transparent, and uninterrupted electoral process.
“This allegation is completely baseless and misleading. Voting is taking place smoothly at all polling stations in Bihar. The Election Commission of India is ensuring that the entire process remains fair and transparent. There is no basis for such misleading propaganda,” the CEO said in a statement shared on X.
Polling for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections began at 7 a.m. across 121 constituencies in 18 districts, with 1,314 candidates, including 1,192 men and 122 women in the fray.
