New Delhi | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged voters in Bihar to exercise their franchise with full enthusiasm in the first phase of Assembly elections.

“Today Bihar celebrates the first phase of the festival of democracy. ?? appeal to all voters of this phase in the assembly elections is that they should vote with full enthusiasm,” Modi said in a post on X.

“On this occasion, I specially congratulate all my young colleagues in the state who will cast their vote for the first time. Remember, vote first, then refreshments (pehle matadan, phir jalpan)," Modi said.

Elections are underway in 121 Assembly constituencies in the first phase in Bihar on Thursday, where 3.75 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,314 candidates, including top leaders such as INDIA bloc's chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary of the BJP.

The remaining 122 seats will go to polls on November 11, and the votes will be counted on November 14.