In a major setback to the Congress party ahead of the Bihar Assembly election results, senior leader Shakeel Ahmad on Tuesday resigned from the party.

Shakeel Ahmad submitted his resignation letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Speaking to ANI after quitting the party, Ahmad said: "... I have mentioned that I am resigning with a heavy heart because of differences with my fellow party leaders. I will continue to support the party's policies and principles. I have just resigned from the primary membership..."

Voter enthusiasm continued to mark the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, with a historic 68.76 per cent (provisional) turnout recorded across the constituencies.

EVMs and VVPAT machines in Mohania are being sealed as the voting for the second and final phase concludes.

The Election Commission said that women actively participated in the second phase of voting in Bihar.

Voter enthusiasm continued to mark the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, with a historic 67.14% turnout recorded across the constituencies until 5 pm.

Mahagathbandhan's Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav said his "heart is filled with joy" with the "reports of bumper voting" in the Bihar assembly election. 

"My heart is filled with joy; my Bihar has truly worked wonders. Reports of bumper voting are coming in from everywhere. The elderly, women, youth, traders, farmers, every caste, every class is enthusiastically ensuring their participation in this grand festival of democracy. May this momentum not stop, may these steps not halt," he said in a post on X.

Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said, "They (NDA) distributed Rs 10,000 to every woman. We expect the women will vote fairly. We had never heard that money is distributed during the model code of conduct phase."

A 100-year-old voter cast her vote at the polling booth in Madhubani district.

Amid a high voter turnout in the second phase of the polling in Bihar assembly elections, a few tragic incidents were reported from different parts of the state.

In Arwal district, a presiding officer died on duty. The officer, Arvind Kumar, posted at polling booth number 189 is Maneri Bigha under the Arwal assembly constituency, suddenly fell ill during polling.

Bihar recorded 60.40 percent polling for phase 2 till 3 pm. In phase 1, the polling percentage till 3 pm was 53.77 per cent.

Bihar recorded a turnout of 47.62% in the second phase of Assembly polls as of 1:00 pm, according to the Election Commission of India. The highest voter turnout was recorded in Kishanganj district with a voter turnout of 51.86%, followed by 50.95% in Gaya, 50.91% in Jamui and 50.07% in Banka. Madhubani continues to record sluggish turnout at 43.39% as of 1:00 pm.

A turnout of 46.87 per cent was recorded in Araria, 47.11% in Arwal, 49.45% in Aurangabad, 45.09% in Bhagalpur, 46.07% in Jahanabad, 49.89% in Kaimur (Bhabua), 48.50% in Katihar, 43.45% in Nawada, 48.91% in Paschim Champaran, 49.63% in Purnia.

Purvi Champaran recorded a voter turnout of 48.01%, 45.19% in Rohtas, 48.23% in Sheohar, 45.28% in Sitamarhi and 48.22% in Supaul.

From JD(U)'s acting president Sanjay Jha and Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi to Purnea MP Pappu Yadav and state Congress chief Rajesh Ram -- leaders from both sides of the political divide cast their votes during the second phase of the Bihar elections on Tuesday.

State Industries Minister Nitish Mishra, BJP's Jamui candidate Shreyashi Singh and Independent nominee Jyoti Singh, who is the wife of Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh, also cast their votes.

BJP leader Shahnwaz Hussain and Congress MLA Ajeet Sharma, too, voted in their respective booths.

RJD leader and INDIA bloc's chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday said that through the "record voting" in the first phase of Bihar elections, people have given a direct message that they want "result" and not "jumla (hollow rhetoric)."

A fight broke out between Congress and BJP supporters at a polling booth in Bihar's Araria today during voting for the second phase of Bihar Assembly Elections.

Congress supporters alleged that BJP supporters called for beating up Congress voters.

Following the recent blast in New Delhi and the ongoing assembly elections in Bihar, Bihar's nearly 700-kilometre international border with Nepal has been sealed for 72 hours to ensure peaceful elections, Bihar's Director General of Police Vinay Kumar said on Tuesday.

"The Police is alert following the incident that occurred in Delhi yesterday, to ensure no such incident happens in Bihar. The international border along Bihar has been sealed for the past 72 hours in view of the elections," DGP Kumar told ANI.

A total of seven districts share a border with Nepal, including West Champaran, East Champaran, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, and Sitamarhi. All seven districts are currently undergoing polling in the second phase of assembly elections.

The highest voter turnout of 34.74% was recorded in Kishanganj district, while the lowest voter turnout with 28.66% was recorded in Madhubani district. Gaya recorded a brisk turnout of 34.07%, followed by 33.69% in Jamui, 32.88% in Aurangabad, 32.91% in Banka, 32.94% in Purnia and 32.39% in Paschim Champaran.

As voting for the bye-elections on eight seats of six States and one Union Territory is underway, Dampa constituency in Mizoram recorded the highest turnout of 18.38% as of 9:00 am, as per the data of the Election Commission of India, followed by the Ghatsila constituency in Jharkhand, with a 17.33% turnout.

In Jammu and Kashmir, a turnout of 15.11% was recorded in Nagrota while Budgam recorded a sluggish turnout of 9.36%.

Odisha's Nuapada assembly constituency recorded a turnout of 14.99% while Anta in Rajasthan also recorded a healthy turnout of 14.09%.

Punjab's Tarn Taran recorded 10.32% voter turnout while Telangana's Jubilee Hills constituency recorded a voter turnout of 10.02%.

Voter participation across the 20 polling districts showed varied intensity in the first two hours. Gaya district led the charge, recording the highest early turnout at 15.97%, with Kishanganj (15.81%) and Jamui (15.77%) close behind. The district of Madhubani registered the lowest turnout among all areas, standing at 13.25%. 

The second phase of the Bihar Assembly polls has gotten off to a robust start, recording a healthy voter turnout of 14.55% till 9:00 AM, according to data released by the Election Commission of India. This early participation figure is notable as it is relatively higher than the 13.13% turnout registered during the same period in the first phase of the elections. 

Polling started peacefully on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam and Nagrota Assembly constituencies as voters turned out in large numbers to exercise their democratic right. The voters were seen wearing traditional tweed overgarments called 'Pherans' as they came out in the morning.

There are 17 candidates in the race in Budgam, including Aga Syed Mehmood of the National Conference (NC) and Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the main contenders.

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi urged people to surpass the turnout recorded in the first phase and vote overwhelmingly for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and emphasised the benefits of a "double-engine government."

On the second phase of Bihar Election, Manjhi said, "I appeal to the people from the bottom of my heart that, just as they voted on 6/11, they should cast a higher percentage of votes this time in favour of NDA. Because the double-engine government is in power here. Narendra Modi has envisioned 'Purvodaya', which also encompasses Bihar."

People cast their vote at a polling booth in Tarn Taran for the Assembly by-election in Tarn Taran constituency. The seat fell vacant following the demise of sitting AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal.

A remarkable enthusiasm for voting is being observed in the Bihar Assembly Elections, with many migrant workers making long journeys back to their home districts solely to cast their votes. 

Voters working in distant states like Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab boarded special trains to reach Katihar for the second and final phase of polling.

Visuals from a polling booth in Odisha's Nuapada as people cast their vote. The seat fell vacant following the demise of sitting BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia.

Bhojpuri singer and actor Pawan Singh's wife, Jyoti Singh, who is contesting the Karakat Assembly constituency as an independent candidate, expressed confidence in public support, stating that the electorate has already "made up their mind" to ensure her victory.

The seats going to polls include 11 in East Champaran, 10 each in Madhubani and Gaya, nine in West Champaran, eight in Sitamarhi, and seven each in Bhagalpur, Rohtas, Purnia, and Katihar. Six assembly seats will go to the polls in Araria and Aurangabad each.

A high alert has been declared in Bihar following a fatal explosion near the Red Fort metro station in Delhi on Monday, which tragically resulted in nine deaths.

Talking to PTI, Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar said, "A high-security alert has been sounded across Bihar following the explosion near the Red Fort metro station. All wings of Bihar Police have been directed to maintain close watch and extraordinary vigil to thwart any attempt by anti-national elements by intensifying area domination patrolling and search operations."

By-elections for eight assembly constituencies spread over six States and one Union Territory are set to be held today, including Budgam and Nagrota (J&K), Anta (Rajasthan), Ghatshila (Jharkhand), Jubilee Hills (Telangana), Tarn Taran (Punjab), Dampa (Mizoram), and Nuapada (Odisha). Counting of votes is set to take place on November 14, along with the Bihar Assembly Elections.