PATNA, Nov. 14 -- After over a month long election exercise for the two phase Bihar polls held on November 6 and 11, the counting of votes will take place on Friday, paving the way for the formation of a new government in the state amid tight security arrangements by the Election Commission across 46 centres in 38 districts of the state. "Counting arrangements have been made in all the 243 assembly constituencies...Total 4,372 counting tables, each staffed with one supervisor, counting assistant and micro-observer have been set up. More than 18,000 counting agents appointed by the nominees will also oversee the process," the EC said in a statement. The results of 2025 Bihar elections to decide the fate of 2,616 candidates would be a significant chapter for state politics with both the major coalitions, National Democratic Alliance( NDA) led by CM Nitish Kumar and opposition INDIA bloc led by RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav hoping for a win. Prominent candidates of both alliances in the fray include Dy CMs Samart Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Tejashwi Yadav, JJD's Tej Pratap and Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar. The results would also be crucial for the newly formed Jan Suraaj Party led by election strategist-cum-politician Prashant Kishor, which has contested all 243 seats to emerge as a third force in the state. Meanwhile, exit polls have predicted a clear majority for ruling NDA even as opposition RJD has trashed the forecast as BJP's 'false narrative'. Experts said the outcome of the polls would have its bearing on national politics too, as a win for the NDA would embolden the government at the Centre, whereas a victory for the RJD-Congress led Mahagathbandhan would mark a change of dispensation in Bihar, ending the two-decade-long stint of CM Kumar as well as strengthen the opposition parties ahead of the crucial West Bengal polls in 2026. DM Diwakar, poll observer, said,"There will be a dimensional shift in state politics. If NDA comes to power, there will be some friction within the coalition over the chief ministerial candidate, though it's unlikely BJP would choose any other CM except Nitish Kumar for another term as the JD(U) is a key ally of the NDA at the Centre too. On the other hand, Mahagathbandhan getting a majority would embolden the regional parties in the opposition, be it in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and other states. Tejashwi would be emerging as a strong leader of Bihar too," said Diwakar. Nawal Kishore Choudhary, another political observer and former principal, Patna College, said a win for NDA would be historic as it would be getting a fresh term despite being in power for 20 years beating anti-incumbency and validating it's 'good governance' model. "An NDA win would be validation of CM Kumar's good governance and development model of government and indicate that people do remember the performances of past governments like RJD in Bihar. A win for the Mahagathbandhan would only reflect the state has not come out of its caste-based mindset as the opposition has been making a pitch for identity politics more," said Choudhary. The mood in the political parties both in NDA camp and Mahagathbandhan is upbeat as the BJP, JD(U) and RJD held several rounds of meetings to take stock of the preparations for the counting day. Prem Ranjan Patel of the BJP claimed the NDA would win comfortably as women, youth and people of all classes had reposed faith in NDA's good governance model and initiatives like giving free power of 125 units, Rs.10,000 to women for starting enterprises and also enhancing the allowance of widows, senior citizens to Rs.1,100 per month. "...There is no question of NDA losing the polls. The possibility of RJD-led Grand Alliance forming government is totally negligible," Patel said, adding that CM Kumar would continue at the helm. JD(U)) leader Neeraj Kumar asserted that the public mood was clear about not "handing over power" to Tejashwi Yadav.. The former Bihar minister stated that the NDA would have a landslide victory. Union ministers Giriraj Singh and Nityanand Rai too exuded confidence of a big win for the NDA. On the other hand, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav held an online meeting with party candidates, office bearers at the district level, having in-depth discussion on guidelines related to vote counting and preparations for it. Repeating allegations of alleged electoral malpractice, the RJD leader said the party, along with the people of Bihar were "alert, vigilant, cautious, and fully capable, aware, and prepared with enthusiasm, hope, and confidence to deal with any kind of improper unconstitutional activity." "Last night, through a video conference with party candidates and district organisation office bearers, an in-depth discussion was held on guidelines related to vote counting and preparations for the counting process," Tejashwi Yadav posted on X in Hindi. RJD chief spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said the RJD led Mahagathbandhan would get around 140 seats with RJD itself getting over 100 seats. " Just wait for the results. People have voted for change this time to oust the NDA government led by CM Kumar," said Yadav. A statement by EC also said EVMs and VVPATs used in the elections have been sealed inside the strong rooms under a double-lock system. "Under the presence of central observers and agents deputed by candidates, the entire process will be videographed," the statement said. After completion of EVM counting, a random selection of five polling stations per constituency is made for the VVPAT verification. The slips will be matched with EVM results in the presence of candidates and their counting agents, the note said. Two-tier security has been ensured at the counting centres. "While the inner tier has been assigned to central armed paramilitary forces (CAPFs), state police have been deployed at the outer rung. Also, 24/7 CCTV surveillance and other security provisions have been put in place," the statement said. A control room has been set up within every strong room campus, which will be staffed with senior district officials. All district election officers and returning officers of the assembly constituencies concerned have been directed to frequently inspect the strong rooms....