The first phase of voting in the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 took place on November 6, covering 121 constituencies across 18 districts such as Patna, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Vaishali, Nalanda, and Bhojpur among others. Approximately 3.75 crore voters were eligible to cast their ballots at over 45,000 polling stations, mostly rural.
Key highlights of the first phase voting include:
- Senior leaders like RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav, JD(U) leader and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, BJP’s Samrat Choudhary, and others cast their votes early to set an example.
- Voter turnout stood at around 42.3% by early afternoon, with notable variations such as 46.7% in Gopalganj and as low as 7% in Lakhisarai.
- Inclusivity was prioritized with nearly 926 women-managed booths and a significant number of booths mainly run by differently-abled staff, aiming to facilitate smoother voting.
- Polling began at 7 am and generally continued till 6 pm, though security concerns shortened voting hours in some areas.
- The first phase was observed as a crucial indicator of the state-wide political mood, with strong contests between the ruling NDA coalition and the opposition Mahagathbandhan.
- The polling atmosphere was marked by showers of enthusiasm, with stories such as elderly voters carried in cots to polling booths highlighting the democratic spirit.
This phase focused on districts that hold a rich mix of castes and communities, making the electoral outcome consequential for the overall balance of power in Bihar’s legislative assembly.
The first phase’s results are expected to set the tone for the subsequent rounds of voting and could influence the strategies of major political players seeking to consolidate their position in Bihar’s complex political landscape.
