What is Happening in the First Phase of Bihar Assembly Elections?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
As Bihar's first phase of assembly elections draws to a close, reports highlight significant voter turnout and some clashes. The Election Commission counters allegations of power outages and fraud. With a competitive political landscape, the impact of this phase could shape the future of Bihar's governance. Stay tuned for insights and upcoming developments.
Key Takeaways
- Voter turnout reached 60.13%
- Begusarai district led with 67.32%
- Election Commission dismissed power cut allegations
- High female voter participation noted
- 1,314 candidates competing in the first phase
New Delhi, Nov 6 (NationPress) As the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections approaches its conclusion on Thursday, there have been reports of some isolated clashes, while the Election Commission has firmly denied claims regarding power outages and fraudulent voting.
A voting turnout of 60.13% was documented by 5 p.m. on Thursday across 121 seats, according to data from the Election Commission of India.
Among the 18 districts that participated in polling, Begusarai district led with a 67.32% turnout, followed closely by Samastipur at 66.65% and Madhepura at 65.74% by the same time.
Notably, the Bachhwara seat in Begusarai (Assembly constituency 142) saw the highest voter turnout of 69.67% by 5 p.m., as per the ECI statistics.
Although polling officially concludes at 5 p.m., individuals who were in line prior to this time will still be permitted to cast their votes.
A significant number of women voters were observed queuing up since early Thursday morning to exercise their democratic rights.
Recently, Bihar has gained recognition for its high female voter participation.
Among various incidents of violence, the most severe occurred in Lakhisarai, where the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate Vijay Kumar Sinha faced stone-pelting from a crowd.
This confrontation escalated into heated exchanges between BJP and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supporters, necessitating intervention by law enforcement to restore peace.
Deputy Chief Minister Sinha accused RJD supporters of instigating the attack and claimed that his agents faced intimidation, labeling the situation as indicative of a “booth-capture mindset.”
On the other hand, the RJD and other opposition factions raised separate concerns about “targeted disruptions” occurring at specific polling booths throughout the state.
The Bihar Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Vinod Singh Gunjiyal, dismissed multiple allegations from the opposition, including claims of intentional power cuts at “strong booths” belonging to the Mahagathbandhan aimed at delaying voting.
The Election Commission labeled these allegations as “completely baseless and misleading.”
In a post on X, the CEO assured that “voting is proceeding smoothly at all polling stations in Bihar.”
It was also mentioned that the Election Commission of India is adhering to all standard procedures to maintain a fair, transparent, and uninterrupted voting process.
In another instance, the RJD shared statements from three voters claiming that at “Sahibganj-98 Assembly Constituency in Muzaffarpur district at booth number 147,” they were informed their votes had already been cast. However, those voters were later featured in a post from the Bihar CEO showing their inked fingers, confirming they had indeed voted.
The Election body provided continuous updates emphasizing that voters were casting their votes without hindrance, with administrative teams closely monitoring polling stations.
During this first phase of elections, 121 Assembly constituencies across 18 districts had polling, with 1,314 candidates participating.
The main contest is between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Janata Dal-United chief and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and the opposition Mahagathbandhan coalition led by RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav.
This time, the Jan Suraaj Party led by Prashant Kishor might act as a disruptor, potentially affecting outcomes in various seats.
Among the candidates participating in this phase are Mahagathbandhan’s Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi, BJP candidates Samrat Chaudhury and Vijay Kumar Sinha (both serving Deputy Chief Ministers), State JD-U President Umesh Kushwaha, and RJD’s Bhola Yadav, a close associate of party leader Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Also in the race are Bhojpuri actor Khesari Lal Yadav (RJD) and popular folk singer Maithili Thakur (BJP).
The election in Mokama is also under close scrutiny, particularly since JD-U candidate Anant Singh was recently taken into custody on charges related to the murder of Dularchand Yadav while he was campaigning for JSP candidate Priyadarshi Piyush.
Point of View
The ongoing Bihar Assembly elections reflect the vibrant democratic fabric of India. Despite isolated incidents of violence, the high voter turnout, especially among women, underscores the electorate's commitment to participating in the democratic process. The Election Commission's role in ensuring a fair election is crucial as political parties vie for power in this pivotal state.
NationPress
06/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the voter turnout in the first phase of Bihar elections?
The voter turnout recorded by 5 p.m. was 60.13% across 121 seats.
Which district had the highest voter turnout?
Begusarai district achieved the highest turnout with 67.32%.
What allegations did the Election Commission address?
The Election Commission rebuffed allegations of power cuts and bogus voting, calling them baseless.
How many candidates are contesting in this phase?
There are 1,314 candidates contesting across 121 Assembly constituencies in this phase.
What are the major political parties involved?
The main contest is between the ruling NDA led by Nitish Kumar and the opposition Mahagathbandhan led by Tejashwi Yadav.
