A minor altercation broke out on Tuesday between supporters of rival political parties near a polling booth in the Warisaliganj area of Nawada district, Bihar, on the day of the final phase of voting in the high-stakes assembly elections. While the incident caused a brief disruption, authorities have confirmed that the situation is under control and that voting is continuing smoothly.

According to Nawada Superintendent of Police Abhinav Dhiman, the clash occurred around 1.5 kilometers from the polling booth, and was quickly brought under control by officials and security personnel deployed in the area. “A minor clash took place between supporters of different political parties. Officials concerned and security personnel are at the spot and they are looking into the matter. The situation in the area is completely under control and voting is underway smoothly,” he told PTI.

Initial reports had suggested that a vehicle involved in the incident was a government vehicle engaged in poll duty. However, the police clarified that the damaged vehicle was private and unrelated to any election-related work. “Rumours that a government vehicle engaged in poll duty has been damaged are completely baseless,” the SP said.

A video purportedly showing the clash has circulated on social media, showing a person claiming to have been assaulted by political opponents for not voting in favor of a particular party. PTI, however, was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the footage. Despite the circulation of such content, authorities emphasized that there was no major disruption to the voting process.

The incident comes amid the final phase of polling across 122 assembly constituencies in Bihar, where over 3.7 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. As of 9 am on Tuesday, 14.55 per cent of voters had already cast their ballots, signaling a moderate pace of polling across the state. A total of 1,302 candidates are in the fray, competing for power in what has been described as one of the most fiercely contested elections in Bihar in recent years.

Election authorities in Bihar have deployed a comprehensive security apparatus to ensure free and fair polling. The deployment includes police personnel, paramilitary forces, and the use of surveillance mechanisms such as CCTV cameras to prevent any untoward incidents at polling stations. Security officials also stressed the importance of maintaining law and order and ensuring that voters could exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.

Incidents of minor clashes between party supporters are not uncommon in high-stakes elections in Bihar, a state where political competition is intense and loyalties are often fiercely contested. In the current electoral scenario, political observers have highlighted that the final phase of polling is particularly sensitive, as it involves constituencies that could determine the overall composition of the state assembly.

The Warisaliganj area, where the minor clash occurred, has been traditionally seen as a politically active region. Authorities have urged citizens to remain calm and to report any disturbances immediately to prevent escalation. Voting, they emphasized, should proceed peacefully, and any attempts to disrupt the process will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.

Despite the clash, officials have reported that the voting process is continuing smoothly, with polling staff and security personnel ensuring that booths operate without interruption. Observers also noted that the majority of voters are exercising their franchise without any visible intimidation or interference.

The Bihar elections have attracted national attention due to their implications for political alliances, regional power dynamics, and governance in India’s third-most populous state. As polling progresses, authorities have reiterated their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the election process and preventing any incidents that could compromise voters’ rights.

In summary, while Tuesday’s minor clash in Nawada highlighted the competitive and sometimes volatile nature of electoral politics in Bihar, officials have been quick to reassure the public that security measures are in place, and the election process is secure. The damaged private vehicle has been noted as a minor fallout, with no impact on the overall conduct of polling. Voters and political parties alike have been reminded to uphold the spirit of democracy and to ensure that the elections proceed peacefully across the state.

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