The Saharsa district in Bihar witnessed voting across four assembly constituencies with an overall turnout of 62.65 percent. The four seats – Saharsa, Simri Bakhtiyarpur, Sonvarsa (Reserved), and Mahishi – saw 12.96 lakh voters deciding the fate of 45 candidates. Polling at 105 centers in Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Mahishi continued until 5 PM. Among the candidates, Minister for Excise and Prohibition Ratnesh Sada contested from the reserved Sonvarsa seat. The voting percentages varied across constituencies: Saharsa recorded 67.03 percent, Mahishi 60.23 percent, Simri Bakhtiyarpur 65.72 percent, and Sonvarsa 56.17 percent. Polling stations were decorated attractively with staff creating colorful rangoli designs to welcome voters. The election featured a direct contest between the NDA alliance (BJP, JD(U), and LJP-Ram Vilas) and the Mahagathbandhan (RJD, Congress, and Indian Inclusive Party). Special arrangements were made for voters in the Kosi embankment areas, including boats, tractors, and SDRF teams. The district administration deployed over 20,000 security personnel including paramilitary forces and police to ensure peaceful polling. Webcasting was arranged at every polling station for transparency. Special booths were set up for women, youth, and disabled voters, with 12 model centers, 11 youth centers, 15 women centers, and 4 disabled booths established across the district. The administration appealed to voters to participate fearlessly in this festival of democracy.
Voter Turnout Across Four Assembly Seats
Saharsa district recorded a combined voter turnout of 62.65 percent across its four assembly constituencies. The Saharsa seat led with 67.03 percent polling, followed by Simri Bakhtiyarpur at 65.72 percent. Mahishi registered 60.23 percent turnout, while the reserved Sonvarsa constituency saw 56.17 percent voting. A total of 12,96,074 voters, including 6,79,117 men, 6,16,875 women, and 22 third gender individuals, exercised their franchise. Additionally, 110 disabled voters aged above 85 years also participated. The district set up 1,566 polling stations with 6,932 polling staff deployed across all constituencies. Voting at 105 centers in Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Mahishi continued until 5 PM. Polling stations were made attractive for voters, with staff members decorating booths with colorful rangoli designs to create a welcoming atmosphere. The administration ensured facilities like drinking water, shade, toilets, and accessibility features for disabled voters at all centers.
Political Contest: NDA Versus Mahagathbandhan
The election witnessed a direct face-off between the NDA alliance and Mahagathbandhan across all four seats. In the NDA camp, BJP fielded sitting MLA Alok Ranjan from Saharsa, while JD(U) contested Mahishi and Sonvarsa seats, and LJP (Ram Vilas) nominated Sanjay Kumar Singh for Simri Bakhtiyarpur. The Mahagathbandhan presented a diverse candidate lineup, with Indian Inclusive Party's national president Indrajit Prasad Gupta contesting from Saharsa seat. RJD candidates fought from Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Mahishi, while Congress fielded Sarita Paswan from the reserved Sonvarsa constituency – she remained the only woman candidate among all contestants in Saharsa district. The key battles included: Alok Ranjan versus Indrajit Prasad Gupta in Saharsa, Gunjeshwar Sah versus Gautam Krishna in Mahishi, Sanjay Kumar Singh versus Yusuf Salauddin in Simri Bakhtiyarpur, and the high-profile contest between sitting minister Ratnesh Sada and Sarita Paswan in Sonvarsa. Total 45 candidates competed across these four constituencies for electoral victory.
Special Arrangements for Kosi Embankment Areas
The district administration made extraordinary arrangements for the 105 polling centers located within the Kosi embankment areas covering Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Mahishi constituencies. GPS-equipped boats and tractors were deployed to facilitate movement of polling personnel in these flood-prone zones. The administration established 15 cluster points equipped with generators and adequate lighting systems. For nighttime security, boats were fitted with radium light strips to ensure visibility. Eight SDRF teams were specially stationed in these areas to handle any emergency situations. Additionally, horse-mounted police patrol units conducted regular rounds in the embankment regions. These measures ensured that voters in remote and challenging terrains could access polling stations safely. The Kosi embankment areas historically face accessibility challenges during elections due to their geography, making these special provisions crucial for smooth democratic participation. The arrangement of alternative transport modes and emergency response teams demonstrated the administration's commitment to ensuring no voter was left behind due to geographical constraints.
Security Deployment and Monitoring Systems
Saharsa district witnessed deployment of more than 20,000 security personnel including paramilitary forces and police officers across all polling stations. The comprehensive security architecture included Quick Response Teams (QRT), super zonal forces, and continuous patrolling parties maintaining vigilant surveillance throughout the voting process. Every polling center was equipped with webcasting facilities to ensure complete transparency and real-time monitoring of the electoral process. This technological intervention aimed to prevent any malpractice and maintain the sanctity of democratic procedures. The multi-layered security arrangement ensured peaceful and orderly conduct of polling across all constituencies. Beyond static deployment at booths, mobile patrolling units covered inter-station routes and vulnerable areas. The administration coordinated with multiple security agencies to create foolproof arrangements. Special attention was given to sensitive polling stations where additional security measures were implemented. The webcasting system allowed election officials to monitor proceedings remotely and respond quickly to any irregularities. These stringent security protocols helped maintain a calm and secure environment, enabling voters to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation throughout the day.
Voter-Friendly Infrastructure and Facilities
The district administration established specialized polling booths catering to different voter segments across all four constituencies. Each assembly area featured one model polling center, one youth polling center, one disabled booth, and three women (pink) booths. Collectively, the district operated 12 model centers, 11 youth centers, 15 women centers, and 4 disabled booths. These dedicated facilities aimed to encourage participation from specific demographic groups who might face barriers in traditional polling setups. The administration ensured essential amenities including drinking water, shade structures, toilet facilities, and special accessibility features for disabled voters at every polling station. Staff members took extra efforts to make booths visually appealing, decorating them with colorful rangoli patterns to create a festive, welcoming atmosphere. This initiative reflected a broader strategy to transform voting from a mere civic duty into an engaging community celebration. The district administration appealed to all voters to participate fearlessly in this democratic festival, assuring them of complete safety and convenience. These voter-centric measures demonstrated the commitment to making elections accessible, comfortable, and inclusive for every eligible citizen regardless of age, gender, or physical ability.
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