Bihar's 2025 assembly election first phase recorded a historic 64.69% voter turnout across 121 seats on Thursday, up 8% from 56.1% in 2020. This marks the highest first-phase polling in the state's history. Political circles debate whether this surge signals anti-incumbency or support for the Nitish Kumar government.
The first phase of Bihar's 2025 assembly elections concluded on November 6, with polling in 121 seats across nine divisions—Darbhanga, Tirhut, Kosi, Saran, Munger, and Bhagalpur. Out of 3.75 crore total voters, 2.42 crore cast their votes, marking 36 lakh more than the 2.06 crore in the 2020 first phase. In 2020, there were 3.70 crore voters, compared to 55.9% turnout in 2015 and 52.1% in 2010.
This record turnout has sparked debate among political analysts. High voting is often seen as a call for change, but counterexamples abound. For instance, Madhya Pradesh's 2023 polls saw 77% turnout yet the BJP retained power. Similarly, Bihar's 2010 elections had 6.82% more votes, but the Janata Dal (United) alliance won. Conversely, Rajasthan's 2023 turnout of 74.45% led to Congress's defeat, and Uttar Pradesh's 2012 increase of 13.44% ousted the BSP.
In these 121 seats, the NDA won 60 and the Mahagathbandhan 61 in 2020. Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party has now turned contests triangular. The NDA views it as a sign of public faith, while the Mahagathbandhan sees it as a harbinger of change.
Women's participation was notably high, a key strength for Nitish Kumar. The Mahagathbandhan promised 30,000 rupees per woman, against the Nitish government's 10,000-rupee aid scheme. Analysts note that local issues like unemployment and migration will shape outcomes. Attention now shifts to the second phase on November 11, with results on November 14.