TFP Bureau, New Delhi/Patna, November 6, 2025: The first phase of the Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections 2025 concluded on Thursday with a historic voter turnout of 64.66 percent — the highest ever recorded in any Assembly election in the state’s history. Spread across 121 Assembly Constituencies in 18 districts, the polling was conducted peacefully and witnessed enthusiastic participation from voters of all age groups.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, monitored the voting process round-the-clock from the Election Commission’s control room. For the first time in Bihar, 100 percent of the 45,341 polling stations were equipped with live webcasting, allowing real-time supervision of polling activities.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar interacted directly with Presiding Officers and District Election Officers throughout the day to ensure that polling remained smooth and orderly. He noted that the high turnout reflects rising public confidence in the electoral process and the success of several new voter-friendly initiatives.
Over 3.75 crore voters were eligible to cast their vote in this phase. More than four lakh polling personnel reached their stations by late Wednesday night, ensuring early readiness. Mock polls were completed before 7 a.m. in the presence of 67,902 polling agents representing 1,314 contesting candidates. Voting began simultaneously at all polling stations.
International Delegation Praises Bihar’s Election Management
A notable feature of this phase was the participation of 16 international delegates from six countries — South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Belgium, and Colombia — as part of the International Election Visitors’ Programme. The delegates observed the polling process firsthand and praised Bihar’s elections as among the most “transparent, efficient, and well-organized” worldwide.
Initiatives to Support Women Voters, PwDs, and First-Time Voters
Over 90,000 Jeevika Didis (female volunteers) and Central Armed Police Force personnel were deployed at polling stations to assist Purdahnasheen women. This marked the first time such a large-scale initiative had been undertaken in the state.
Polling stations were equipped with wheelchairs, volunteers for PwD assistance, and E-Rickshaw services to help differently-abled voters reach the booths. Officials reported a significant increase in turnout among elderly and physically challenged voters as a result of these measures.
New Voter-Friendly Reforms
The Election Commission introduced several innovations aimed at improving voter convenience and reducing crowding. These included:
• Colour photographs of candidates on EVM ballot units for clearer identification.
• Mobile phone deposit facilities at polling stations.
• Newly designed Voter Information Slips (VIS) with larger fonts.
• Cap of 1,200 voters per booth to prevent long queues and reduce waiting time.
• Real-time voter turnout updates from Presiding Officers before sealing of stations.
These measures, officials said, contributed significantly to both efficiency and voter satisfaction.
Turnout Figures Still Updating
The voter turnout figure of 64.66 percent is based on updates received until 8:15 p.m. on Thursday. As many as 1,570 Presiding Officers were yet to upload the final numbers on the ECINET portal at the time of reporting, and the final turnout may see a slight rise.
Long-Term Trends Highlight Bihar’s Electoral Shift
The record turnout marks a dramatic shift when viewed against Bihar’s electoral history. From a low of 42.6 percent in the 1951–52 Assembly elections, turnout has steadily risen over the decades. The previous highest turnout for Assembly elections was 62.57 percent in 2000. This year’s figures represent a new benchmark in public participation and electoral engagement.
District-wise and constituency-wise voting percentages are being continuously updated on the ECINET mobile app.
With Phase-I concluding successfully, preparations are already underway for the next phases of polling. Election officials have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring free, fair, and inclusive elections across Bihar, while continuing to prioritise voter comfort, security, and accessibility.
