Bihar’s first phase of the 2025 Assembly elections has recorded its highest-ever voter turnout at 64.66%, marking a historic moment for the state’s democratic engagement. The turnout surpassed the previous record of 62.57% set in 2000, and even outperformed the 1998 Lok Sabha elections when Bihar saw 64.6%. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar thanked citizens and poll staff for their participation and smooth conduct of the polls.
The high turnout comes amid controversy surrounding a special intensive revision (SIR) of voter rolls that eliminated 47 lakh names, reducing Bihar’s total electorate from 7.89 crore to 7.42 crore. Opposition parties had criticized the revision as an attempt to suppress votes from marginalized groups, who they claim traditionally support them. Analysts caution that the increased percentage may partially result from this reduced voter base rather than an absolute rise in participation.
Historically, Bihar’s elections have shown a complex relationship between voter turnout and political outcomes. In 2010, Nitish Kumar’s JDU-BJP alliance triumphed with a 52.73% turnout. In 2015, when Nitish allied with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD, voter participation rose by over four points and resulted in another victory. In 2020, the JDU-BJP alliance returned to power again despite a slightly higher turnout of 57.29%.
This year’s figure of 64.66%—a jump of 7.37% over 2020—has reignited debate over whether high turnout signals anti-incumbency or renewed faith in governance. While opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav, contesting from Raghopur, is hopeful of a pro-change wave, political observers point to examples like Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, where high turnouts did not unseat ruling governments.
Only 121 of 243 constituencies voted in Phase 1, with the rest going to polls on November 11, and results to be declared on November 14. Prominent seats included Raghopur, Tarapur (Samrat Choudhary, BJP), Alinagar (folk singer Maithili Thakur, BJP), and Mokama (JDU’s Anant Singh). As Bihar heads toward its second phase, the historic voter enthusiasm has set the stage for one of the most closely watched elections in recent years, where every percentage point may reshape the state’s political balance.
