Wed Nov 20 13:53:49 UTC 2024: **Bihar Appoints Teachers, Maharashtra & Jharkhand Elections Conclude, Congress Boycotts Exit Polls**
PATNA, INDIA & MUMBAI, INDIA – Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that appointed teachers will remain in their current postings after handing over appointment letters in Patna. Meanwhile, voting concluded in the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections. Maharashtra saw a 58.22% voter turnout by 5 PM, while Jharkhand recorded 67.59% in the second phase.
The Congress party has announced it will not participate in exit polls for either election, citing concerns over their accuracy following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections where exit polls significantly mispredicted the results. The Election Commission of India has also previously criticized exit polls for misleading voters with inflated expectations and urged self-reflection on the methodology and reliability of such surveys. Exit poll results for Maharashtra and Jharkhand are expected to begin airing around 6:30 PM today. The Election Commission also criticized news channels for prematurely releasing trends on counting day.
First Piper 