Patna, Nov 14 (V7N) — The results of the Bihar Assembly elections will be announced today, with the counting of votes beginning at 8 am local time on Friday. A total of 46 counting centers have been set up across 38 districts of the state.

Security measures have been significantly increased around all counting venues, with additional members of law enforcement deployed to maintain order.

According to exit polls, the NDA alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), is expected to return to power with a comfortable lead. Analysts believe the ruling alliance may once again secure control of the state.

This election recorded the highest voter turnout in seven decades, with nearly 75 million voters casting their ballots — around 67 percent of the electorate.

To form the next government in Bihar, a party or alliance must win at least 122 of the 243 assembly seats.

END/SMA/AJ