Patna: Bihar has become the first state in India to introduce mobile phone-based e-voting during local body elections. According to State Election Commissioner Deepak Prasad, around 70.20% of registered voters opted for the e-voting system, while 54.63% still voted in person at traditional polling stations.

"Bihar has scripted history today," the State Election Commission posted on social media platform X. The commission also revealed that “Bibha Kumari, a resident of Pakridayal in East Champaran district, became the first person in the country to cast a vote via mobile phone during a local body election".

Polling was conducted across six nagar panchayats and several municipal by-elections, recording an overall turnout of 62.41%. Voting took place peacefully between 7 am and 5 pm at 489 polling booths, with 538 candidates in the fray.

The e-voting system was specifically designed to increase accessibility for voters facing challenges in reaching polling stations, such as the elderly, differently-abled, pregnant women and migrants. Only pre-registered voters were eligible to use the mobile-based voting platform.

Elections were held across multiple districts, including Patna, Buxar, Bhojpur, Kaimur, Nalanda, Katihar, Araria, Saharsa and East Champaran.

The counting of votes is scheduled for June 30.

(with PTI inputs)