Bihar Election Phase 1 Sees Record Turnout Amid Minor Clashes And Political Allegations

Bihar reported its highest-ever first-phase voter turnout on Thursday, with provisional figures showing 64.66% of eligible voters participating in the 2025 Assembly election. Polling remained calm across most of the state, although a minor disturbance was reported in Lakhisarai. Senior political leaders from all major parties cast their votes early in the day as campaigning gave way to what Prime Minister Narendra Modi described as a “celebration of democracy”.

According to the Election Commission of India, voting took place across 121 of the state’s 243 constituencies. Around 3.75 crore people were eligible to choose among 1,314 candidates in this round. Provisional data suggests the turnout surpassed the previous highest figure for a Bihar Assembly election, which was 62.57% recorded in 2000.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar thanked voters and poll officials for their participation, noting that the record turnout was significant given the recent revision of voter lists. The special intensive revision removed 47 lakh names from the electoral roll, reducing the state’s total registered voters from 7.89 crore to 7.42 crore, a process the opposition had criticised as disenfranchising marginalised groups. The Commission has maintained that the exercise followed established procedures.

High-profile candidates were among those casting their votes on Thursday. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, and Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan were seen at polling stations during the morning hours. Tejashwi Yadav, who is the opposition alliance’s chief ministerial face, voted in Patna alongside his family, including his father, the RJD supremo.

In Lakhisarai, a constituency where Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha is contesting for a fourth consecutive term, unidentified individuals threw stones, cow dung and slippers at his convoy. Mr Sinha accused RJD supporters of attempting to obstruct his visit to Khoriari village. The RJD has denied involvement. Following the incident, the Chief Election Commissioner directed Bihar’s Director General of Police to take strict action, emphasising that disruptions to law and order would not be tolerated. Apart from this episode, officials reported peaceful polling across the state.

District-wise data from the Election Commission’s Voter Turnout App showed Begusarai recording the highest turnout at 67.32%, followed closely by Samastipur, Madhepura and Muzaffarpur. The lowest figures were reported in Bhojpur and Sheikhpura, both below 54%.

Political parties closely monitored turnout trends, which have traditionally been interpreted as indicators of voter sentiment. Analysts note that higher turnouts in Bihar have previously aligned with electoral shifts. In 2010, when turnout was just over 52%, the Janata Dal United–Bharatiya Janata Party alliance won a decisive mandate. In 2015, with turnout rising by more than four percentage points, a new alliance between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav secured power. Five years later, the JDU returned to the BJP-led coalition and won again, though with reduced strength. Whether the high turnout seen on Thursday signals a shift this year remains uncertain, as experts warn that turnout alone does not guarantee anti-incumbency.

Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to vote in large numbers, saying the first phase marked an important moment in the state’s democratic process. “I urge all voters to cast their votes with full enthusiasm,” he wrote on X, extending greetings to first-time voters.

Campaign themes continued to reverberate on polling day. The RJD alleged that electricity supply was being deliberately disrupted at polling stations where the opposition alliance is believed to enjoy strong support. The Election Commission rejected the claims as “baseless and misleading”. Meanwhile, Tej Pratap Yadav, founder of the Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), said he expected his party to become a “serious political force”, adding that he was confident of being re-elected in Mahua.

Other notable contests in this phase included Tarapur, where Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is in the fray, and Alinagar, where the Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded Maithili folk singer Maithili Thakur. Mokama also drew attention after the recent arrest of the Janata Dal United candidate in a murder case.

Only half the state has voted so far. The remaining 122 constituencies will go to the polls on 11 November, with results due on 14 November. Political parties are now shifting their focus to the second phase, which will determine the overall direction of a closely watched election in one of India’s most politically influential states.

Context

Bihar’s turnout figures this year are being scrutinised due to both political and demographic factors. The significant reduction in the voter list has complicated comparisons with past elections, and some analysts caution that increased percentages may not necessarily indicate higher participation. At the same time, the state’s electoral history shows that turnout fluctuations often align with broader political transitions. With the opposition banking on discontent and promising government jobs for every household, and the ruling coalition highlighting stability and welfare schemes, the coming days are likely to see intensified campaigning before the final phase of voting.