Minor disruptions marked the start of polling on Tuesday in the second phase of Bihar’s assembly elections as several Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) developed faults in the early hours. Districts including Araria, Supaul and Sitamarhi witnessed temporary halts as voters queued outside booths waiting for replacements.
Polling officials confirmed that the glitches were primarily related to display and connectivity issues. Technical teams stationed in each district responded promptly, replacing defective units to restore operations. The Election Commission said additional machines had been kept on standby precisely to manage such contingencies.
At some locations, voters reported waiting for nearly an hour before the process resumed. District magistrates assured citizens that extended polling time would be granted wherever delays occurred. Election observers also verified that security personnel maintained order and ensured no crowding at booths during downtime.
Officials reiterated that the disruptions would not affect overall polling numbers and that every voter would be able to cast their vote before the scheduled close. With voting continuing across 20 districts, authorities are maintaining close communication with ground staff through real-time digital monitoring.
The Election Commission thanked voters for their patience and emphasised that technology failures, though rare, were being managed efficiently. The incident serves as a reminder of the logistical complexity involved in managing one of the world’s largest democratic exercises.
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