Bihar Elections Result 2020: Know what can cause delay in the declaration of results today

Some of the major reason for Bihar assembly election result delay includes an increased number of polling booths, social distancing in counting centres, and tallying result with VVPAT.

Patna: The counting of votes for 243-seats in Bihar legislative assembly election 2020 which was held in three phases will be declared today (November 10, 2020). The result declaration this time will be different due to the coronavirus pandemic which is likely to cause some delay in the release of the final result.

These are the reasons which can cause a delay in result declaration:

- Increase in number of polling booths

The number of polling booths in Bihar was increased this time due to the coronavirus situation in the country. This is one of the major reasons why the final result declaration can be delayed by 2 to 3 hours this year. There was 1 lakh 6 thousand 526 booths made in the election, which is about 63 percent more than the previous time. In the 2015 elections, 65 thousand 367 booths were built. Due to the increase in the number of booths, the number of EVMs has also increased and in such a situation there is a delay in counting of votes.

- Tallying result with VVPAT 

As per the norms, if any candidate raises an objection during the counting of votes, the EVM is sealed again and the number of votes is tallied with the VVPAT. Due to this, a delay in vote count can be expected.

- Ballot paper counting will be done first

The counting of votes will start at 8 am. According to Election Commission officials, voting done via ballot papers will be counted first. The EVM counting will begin at 8:15 am. As per officials, it takes 15 to 20 minutes to calculate a round from EVM. So the first trend is likely to come by 8:30 am.

- Counting centers to follow COVID-19 guidelines

The counting of the votes will also be time taking because the counting officials will have to follow social distancing and COVID-19 guidelines to keep a check on the spread of virus and ensure health safety.

- The results of these seats can come earlier
According to the information, out of the 14 assembly constituencies of Patna, the result for Fatuha Legislative Assembly and Bakhtiyarpur Legislative Assembly will be declared first. The number of polling stations in these two assembly constituencies is less as compared to other assembly constituencies.There are 405 polling booths in Fatuha Legislative Assembly and 410 in Bakhtiyarpur Legislative Assembly. Therefore, results are likely to come soon in these two assembly constituencies. At the same time, the results of Digha, Kumhara and Bankipur assembly will be delayed. Digha's count will continue for a long time.

- Vote percentage during three-phase election in Bihar
In the 243-seats of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, votes were cast in three phases (28 October, 3 November and 7 November). Voting was 53.54 percent in the first phase, 54.05 percent in the second phase and 57.91 percent in the third phase.

Counting started at 8 am at 55 centres spread across 38 districts amid tight security and precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19 pandemic during the process. Over 57 per cent of about 7.30 crore electors have exercised their franchise in what is the first major election in the country since the onset of the pandemic.

A total of 3,733 candidates are in the fray, including 371 women and a transgender.