Bihar Assembly Polls 2025: Record 64.66% Voter Turnout

Bihar’s first phase of Assembly elections witnessed a record voter turnout of 64.66%, the highest in the state’s electoral history, as polling across 121 constituencies concluded peacefully on Thursday. The Election Commission of India hailed the turnout as “historic,” reflecting, it said, the people’s deep faith in the democratic process.

The polling, held across 18 districts, covered more than 3.75 crore voters and saw participation across all sections, including first-time electors and women. Around 4.6 lakh polling personnel were deployed, assisted by over 90,000 Central Armed Police Force personnel, to ensure smooth conduct of the exercise. Sixteen international observers from six countries monitored the process, which was described as transparent and efficiently managed.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar commended the electorate for their “unprecedented participation,” and lauded officials on duty for their dedication. “This turnout reaffirms Bihar’s faith in democracy. Our focus on transparency and accessibility — from redesigned voter slips and candidate photographs on EVMs to enhanced booth facilities — has yielded results,” he said.

The Commission attributed the seamless voting to logistical improvements, including the cap of 1,200 voters per booth, real-time webcasting, and arrangements such as e-rickshaw support and wheelchairs for senior citizens and differently abled voters.

As voting progressed, political temperatures soared. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing rallies in Bhagalpur, launched a sharp attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), calling it a “Jungle Raj Pathshala” that “taught abduction, ransom and extortion.” He alleged that corruption under the RJD-Congress combine had drained state resources meant for welfare schemes, asserting that “every rupee meant for women’s empowerment would have gone into their coffers if they were in power.”

In contrast, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, campaigning in Purnea, accused the BJP and the Election Commission of “stealing votes” in Bihar and Haryana. “Nitish Kumar is being remotely controlled from Delhi,” Gandhi said, adding that Bihar needed investment in universities and hospitals to ensure real progress.

Campaigning in East Champaran, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra claimed that “65 lakh names” had been deleted from Bihar’s electoral rolls, calling it a “systematic attempt to disenfranchise the poor.” She recalled her father Rajiv Gandhi being confronted by voters decades ago, contrasting that era’s fearless democracy with what she called today’s “climate of intimidation.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, addressing NDA supporters in Bettiah, exuded confidence that the ruling alliance would sweep “100 of the 121 seats” in this phase, crediting Nitish Kumar’s governance for “ending the chaos of the past and replacing it with progress.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in another rally, said Bihar’s development was central to India’s 2047 vision. “There are no corruption allegations against Nitish Kumar despite his long tenure,” he said, terming the direct transfer of ₹10,000 under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana “a model of clean governance.”

The otherwise peaceful polling was marred by an attack on the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha in Khagaria district’s Khoriari village. Stones, slippers, and cow dung were hurled allegedly by RJD supporters shouting anti-government slogans. Sinha accused opposition workers of obstructing polling and intimidating voters, while the Election Commission directed the Bihar DGP to act swiftly and ensure no disruption of the electoral process.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan condemned the incident, calling it “a reflection of opposition frustration in the face of certain defeat.” He accused Congress and RJD leaders of “attempting to undermine the credibility of the Election Commission.”

Polling for the second and final phase, covering 122 constituencies, will be held on November 11, with counting scheduled for November 14. In the 2020 Assembly polls, the NDA had secured 125 seats to the Opposition’s 110.

With the highest-ever turnout and a largely peaceful first phase, Bihar’s electorate appears deeply engaged. Whether that enthusiasm translates into continuity or change will be known once the ballots are opened.

Key Stats

- Turnout: 64.66% — highest in Bihar’s history

- Constituencies: 121 across 18 districts

- Voters: 3.75 crore

- Polling Stations: 45,361

- Candidates: 1,314

- Security Personnel: 90,000+ CAPF deployed

Top Contenders:

Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Samrat Choudhary (BJP), Mangal Pandey (BJP), Shravan Kumar (JD-U), Vijay Kumar Choudhary (JD-U), Tej Pratap Yadav (RJD)