RJD accuses police and BJP of voter intimidation in Bihar’s first phase polls; seeks EC action

Amid the first phase of polling for the Bihar assembly elections on Thursday, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) levelled serious allegations of voter intimidation and administrative bias in several constituencies. The party accused local police and BJP workers of threatening voters and obstructing the polling process, urging the Election Commission to take immediate action.

In a post on X, RJD claimed that police personnel had forcefully entered homes in the Mohiuddinnagar assembly constituency and were “brutally beating and threatening voters without any valid reason.” The video shared by the party alleged that officers were intimidating residents to prevent them from voting freely. “Prashasan ka puri tarah se gundagardi chalu hai. Voters ko daraya dhamkaya jaa raha hai,” the voice in the video stated.

In another incident reported from the Sarai area, RJD alleged that one of its workers had been attacked by “a BJP goon and his brother.” The party shared a video claiming the assailants were threatening locals to vote for the BJP. “They are telling us to vote for the BJP, otherwise we will be beaten up,” the voice in the clip said.

The RJD also raised concerns from the Danapur assembly constituency, alleging that the administration had stopped the operation of boats—leaving thousands of voters unable to reach polling booths. “Over 10,000 voters have been left dependent on a single steamer that operates only once a day. If an accident occurs, will the district administration take responsibility?” the party questioned in its post.

According to the Election Commission of India, the voter turnout for the first phase stood at 53.77% as of 3 pm. Polling in 121 constituencies will conclude by 6 pm, while voting for the remaining 122 seats is scheduled for November 11. The counting of votes will take place on November 14.