The first phase of the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections registered a voter turnout of 64.66%, marking the highest ever recorded in the state’s history, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The polling covered 121 constituencies across 18 districts and concluded peacefully on Thursday evening.
This figure surpasses previous records in the state – including 62.57% in the 2000 assembly polls and 64.6% in the 1998 Lok Sabha elections. The ECI noted that the high turnout reflected robust participation, especially among women and first-time voters, and thanked voters for coming out in such large numbers.
With the second phase of polling scheduled for November 11 across 122 seats, the turnout milestone sets the stage for a high-stakes conclusion to the electoral process this year. Campaigning is intensifying and both the ruling alliance and opposition are gearing up for the next round.
Election observers attribute part of the turnout boost to the special electoral-roll revision exercise (SIR) undertaken before the polls, which cleaned up inactive or invalid entries. While some critics argue the revision could have influenced the turnout percentage, the ECI emphasised that registration and verification were executed transparently.
Overall, Bihar’s record participation signals a strong democratic engagement this season – the highest ever in the state’s electoral history – and underscores the role of the ECI’s management in ensuring smooth polling operations under challenging conditions.
