**Waiting in Line for Voting ★Photo: Amar Ujala**
**Overview**
In Madhubani, Bihar, the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections began on Monday, May 20th with voting starting at 7 am amidst tight security. Voters have been lining up at the polling booths to cast their votes. The police administration has made all necessary arrangements for peaceful voting. There are a total of 26 candidates in the fray for the Madhubani Lok Sabha seat. There are a total of 19,34,235 voters, with 10,13,971 male voters, 9,20,173 female voters, and 91 transgender voters.
**Direct Contest between NDA and Mahagathbandhan**
It is noteworthy that there is a direct contest between NDA and Mahagathbandhan in this constituency. NDA has fielded current BJP MP Ashok Yadav again, while Mahagathbandhan has put forward RJD’s Ali Ashraf Fatmi as their candidate. Just before the elections, Fatmi switched from JD(U) to RJD. Heavy police force has been deployed and there is a lot of enthusiasm among women voters.
**Monitoring by District Officials**
District Magistrate Arvind Kumar Verma and Sushil Kumar Singh are overseeing the election process. They have established a control room to handle any untoward incidents or activities. The control room is providing real-time information. The district officials have appealed to people to vote and have informed that those who have not received their voter card can vote by showing other identification. The district administration is working hard to increase voter turnout.
बिहार के मधुबनी में लोकसभा चुनाव के पांचवें चरण के लिए मतदान सुबह सात बजे से शुरू हो गया है। इस चुनाव में 26 उम्मीदवार मैदान में हैं और कुल 19 लाख 34 हजार 235 मतदाता हैं। एनडीए और महागठबंधन के बीच सीधी टक्कर है और पुलिस-प्रशासन ने शांतिपूर्ण मतदान की पूरी तैयारी की है। जिला प्रशासन ने मतदान प्रतिशत बढ़ाने के लिए कई उपाय लिए हैं।
