Bihar Election 2025: Record 64.66% Voter Turnout in First Phase, Peaceful Polling Marks a New Chapter for the State
The first phase of the Bihar Election 2025 ended on a historic note with a record voter turnout of 64.66%, marking the state’s highest polling percentage since independence. This remarkable participation has set the tone for the remaining phases of the election and sent a strong message about the power of democracy in India’s politically active heartland.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the polling across 121 Assembly constituencies in 18 districts was conducted peacefully. Over 3.75 crore voters exercised their right to vote at 45,314 polling booths, reflecting a growing sense of political engagement and trust in the electoral process.
The record turnout surpassed the 62.57% polling recorded in the 2000 Assembly election and the 57.29% voter turnout during the 2020 polls, making the Bihar Election 2025 a landmark in the state’s democratic journey.
Peaceful Polling — A Milestone for Bihar
Bihar has long struggled with issues of poll violence, booth capturing, and political intimidation. Conducting peaceful elections in the state has always been a challenge for the Election Commission. However, this time, officials managed to ensure minimal disruptions and a largely peaceful environment throughout the polling day.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar praised the citizens and election officials for their efforts.
“Bihar has shown the way to the nation. With zero appeals, pure electoral rolls, transparent processes, and the highest voter turnout since 1951 — democracy wins,” said Mr. Kumar.
Observers noted that the smooth conduct of the first phase of the Bihar Election 2025 is a major achievement for the Election Commission, especially at a time when the poll body has faced criticism from opposition parties over its alleged bias and lack of transparency.
Opposition’s Criticism of the Election Commission
Despite the peaceful polling, opposition parties continued to raise concerns about the credibility of the Election Commission. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently alleged irregularities in the Haryana election, claiming that fake voter ID cards were found, including one modeled on a Brazilian voter ID card. These allegations reignited debates about electoral integrity just as Bihar began its voting process.
The Congress and other members of the INDIA alliance accused the Election Commission of being “soft” on the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and not doing enough to address voter roll discrepancies.
They also demanded greater transparency in the publication of voter lists and booth-level data.
The ECI, however, rejected these claims, asserting that it conducted the Bihar Election 2025 Phase 1 with “full transparency, technological support, and accountability.”
Tragedy and Tensions During the Campaign
While polling day was largely peaceful, the campaign period leading up to the first phase of the Bihar Election 2025 witnessed some tragic incidents. A local political leader, Dularchand Yadav, was killed in a violent attack, triggering widespread condemnation and heightening security concerns.
Authorities responded quickly, increasing security measures in sensitive constituencies to ensure that such incidents did not disrupt the voting process. Officials said the tragedy underlined the importance of maintaining law and order during elections, especially in states like Bihar where politics is deeply intertwined with local rivalries.
NDA and Opposition Interpretations of High Turnout
The record turnout has sparked contrasting interpretations from political rivals.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary of the BJP said the numbers reflect the public’s faith in the NDA government.
“Reports from across constituencies show the NDA will win around 100 of the 121 seats. The people of Bihar have voted for stability, development, and progress,” said Mr. Choudhary.
He even predicted that Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD’s chief ministerial candidate, would lose from Raghopur, claiming,
“Just as Lalu Prasad’s family was wiped out in 2010, history will repeat itself.”
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai echoed this sentiment, stating that the high turnout is a “clear endorsement of the NDA’s vision for a developed Bihar.”
However, Tejashwi Yadav offered a completely opposite view. The RJD leader described the high voter participation as a “wave of change” sweeping across Bihar.
“For the first time in 20 years, every Bihari has come out to vote against corruption, injustice, and unemployment. Bihar has voted for change,” said Yadav.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera added,
“Youth, women, and the elderly — everyone has voted in anger against this government. This is a vote for change and for a new Bihar.”
📊 District-Wise Voter Turnout Trends
The enthusiasm of Bihar’s voters was evident across the state, though turnout varied between districts:
- Begusarai: 67.32% (highest)
- Patna: 55.02%
- Sheikhpura: 52.36% (lowest)
Rural districts saw higher participation than urban centers, consistent with Bihar’s voting history. Analysts believe the rise in turnout reflects not only better election management but also strong political mobilization by both alliances.
🔍 Why This Turnout Matters
A voter turnout of 64.66% in the Bihar Election 2025 is more than just a statistic — it symbolizes renewed faith in democracy. It also suggests that voters, particularly the youth and women, are becoming increasingly proactive in shaping Bihar’s future.
With the second and third phases of polling scheduled in the coming weeks, all eyes are now on whether this enthusiasm will continue. Political observers believe that the momentum of Phase 1 will heavily influence the overall election outcome.
Counting of votes will take place on November 14, 2025, and the results are expected to redefine Bihar’s political landscape.
Democracy’s Biggest Victory
The Bihar Election 2025 has so far demonstrated how effective governance, improved security, and digital transparency can restore voter confidence. Despite criticism, the Election Commission successfully delivered a peaceful, high-turnout election in a state where that has rarely been the norm.
As Bihar moves into the next phases of voting, the record-breaking 64.66% turnout stands as a testament to the people’s belief in democracy — and a powerful reminder that, in the end, the real strength of Indian politics lies in the hands of its voters.
