About 6.68 crore voters are expected to cast their votes in the five phase Assembly polls. And for the first time in the country ballot papers fixed on the electronic voting machines will have photographs of the candidates alongside their respective party symbols. This is being done to tackle the malpractice of propping up several candidates with identical names in a bid to confuse the voters, said the Chief Election Commissioner. Several other steps are also being taken by the election Commission to ensure smooth polls in Bihar.
Weather during October
But how is the weather going to pan out during the elections in the state is something to know about as it affects voter turnout. According to weathermen at Skymet, Bihar observes 4 months –June, July, August and September - of Monsoon rains. And the withdrawal of Southwest Monsoon is not attempted before the first week of October. Therefore, rain during October cannot be ruled out.
The foothills and the eastern parts of the state like Bhagalpur, Purnea experience late withdrawal of Monsoon compared to the western parts. However, rainfall amounts decrease a great deal by the time October arrives. For instance, Patna observes 230 mm of rain in September, which comes down to 79 mm in October. Similarly Bhagalpur receives 90 mm of rain in October against 221 mm in September. Purnea also sees rainfall amounts drop to 92 mm in October compared to 327 mm in September.
However, the weather in the state becomes very pleasant during October, particularly during early mornings and late nights. The day temperature settles comfortably in the low-thirties, while night becomes a little cold with minimums settling in the lower-twenties.
The cool pleasant weather during morning hours will certainly see voters turning out in large numbers in the first half of the day. Also the people living in far flung villages would prefer to cast their vote as early as possible. As the withdrawal of Monsoon is late the first two phases could observe some rain. The remaining phases will largely be dry and pleasant.
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