Bihar recorded its highest-ever voter turnout on Thursday as the first phase of the state assembly elections concluded peacefully, with 64.66% polling across 121 constituencies in 18 districts. This marks a significant rise from the 57.29% turnout in the 2020 elections, signalling a surge in voter enthusiasm.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar lauded voters and poll officials for their participation and dedication, describing the turnout as “historic since 1951.” He said the exercise demonstrated public faith in democracy and transparency in the electoral process.
Political reactions quickly followed, with both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan interpreting the high turnout in their favour. BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary claimed that the NDA was poised to win “around 100 of the 121 seats,” while Union Minister Nityanand Rai called the voter enthusiasm a “sign of people’s trust in the NDA’s resolve for a strong Bihar.”
Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) said the turnout reflected a “wave of change” against the ruling alliance. “After 20 years of unemployment, poverty, and injustice, people have voted for a new beginning,” he said. Congress leader Pawan Khera echoed the sentiment, asserting that voters across all sections were “voting in anger for change.”
Begusarai recorded the highest turnout at 67.32%, while Patna saw 55.02% and Sheikhpura the lowest at 52.36%. The Election Commission reported that voting remained peaceful throughout the day.
The remaining 122 constituencies will vote in the second phase on November 11, with counting scheduled for November 14.
