Bihar MLC by-poll: RJD's Sonu Kumar Rai wins Bhojpur-Buxar seat, Tejashwi backs ballot paper voting
Synopsis
RJD's narrow 340-vote win in the Bhojpur-Buxar MLC by-election gave Tejashwi Yadav a platform to escalate his party's EVM abolition demand — alleging the RJD had won over 150 seats on postal ballots in the Bihar Assembly elections before losing to what he called 'fraud'. The result is as much a political signal as an electoral one.
Key Takeaways
RJD candidate Sonu Kumar Rai won the Bhojpur-Buxar Bihar Legislative Council by-election by 340 votes .
Total votes cast: 5,956 ; Rai secured 2,486 against JD(U)'s Kanhaiya Prasad with 2,146 .
Voting was held on 12 May 2025 ; counting conducted across 13 tables in two rounds .
Tejashwi Yadav renewed the RJD's demand to replace EVMs with ballot papers, alleging the NDA cannot win without machines.
Tejashwi alleged the RJD won over 150 seats via postal ballots in the Bihar Assembly elections but lost due to alleged manipulation — claims not independently verified.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Sonu Kumar Rai won the Bihar Legislative Council by-election for the Bhojpur-Buxar Local Authorities constituency on 15 May 2025, defeating Janata Dal (United) nominee Kanhaiya Prasad by a margin of 340 votes. The result prompted RJD National Executive President Tejashwi Yadav to renew his party's longstanding demand for a return to ballot paper-based elections, alleging that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) favour the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
By-Election Result in Detail
Voting for the Bhojpur-Buxar seat was held on 12 May 2025, with counting beginning at 8 am on Thursday across 13 tables in two rounds. Of a total of 5,956 votes cast, Sonu Kumar Rai secured 2,486 votes against Kanhaiya Prasad's 2,146 votes. Third candidate Manoj Upadhyay received 636 votes, while 621 votes were declared invalid.
Tejashwi Yadav's Reaction
Congratulating the winning candidate and party workers, Tejashwi Yadav described the result as a 'crushing defeat' for the NDA. 'In the Bhojpur-Buxar Member of Legislative Council by-election, Rashtriya Janata Dal candidate Sonu Rai has handed a crushing defeat to the National Democratic Alliance candidate. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all party workers, voters, and leaders on this victory,' he said.
The Ballot Paper Demand
Tejashwi used the occasion to reiterate the RJD's demand for ballot paper voting, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA would struggle to win elections if EVMs were replaced. 'We have maintained from the very beginning that if elections in the country and the state were conducted using ballot papers rather than machines, the Bharatiya Janata Party-National Democratic Alliance would not stand a chance anywhere,' he said.
He also alleged that in the Bihar Assembly elections, the RJD had secured over 150 seats via postal ballots but was ultimately defeated through what he described as 'administrative manipulation, technical manoeuvring, conspiracy, deceit, and fraud' — claims that have not been independently verified.
Concerns Over Late Result Declarations
Tejashwi also raised concerns about delays in announcing election results on counting days, noting that results are sometimes declared as late as 1 or 2 am. He argued that ballot paper counting took comparable time historically, and questioned why EVMs were preferred if transparency remained a concern. 'To uphold democratic transparency and preserve public trust in the democratic process, why should elections not now be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines?' he said. This comes amid a broader national debate over EVM reliability, a subject the Election Commission of India (ECI) has consistently defended against opposition allegations.
Point of View
000 cast — but Tejashwi has amplified it into a referendum on EVMs. The ballot paper demand is not new; it is a recurring opposition refrain that gains traction after wins and fades after losses. What is notable here is the specific claim about 150 postal ballot seats in the Bihar Assembly elections — a figure that has not been independently corroborated and deserves scrutiny. The ECI has repeatedly defended EVM integrity, and no court has upheld EVM manipulation claims. Tejashwi's framing conflates a local council by-election victory with a systemic argument that the numbers alone do not yet support.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Bihar MLC by-election for the Bhojpur-Buxar seat?
RJD candidate Sonu Kumar Rai won the Bihar Legislative Council by-election for the Bhojpur-Buxar Local Authorities constituency, defeating JD(U) nominee Kanhaiya Prasad by 340 votes. Out of 5,956 total votes cast, Rai received 2,486 votes against Prasad's 2,146.
When was voting held for the Bhojpur-Buxar MLC by-election?
Voting was held on 12 May 2025, with counting beginning at 8 am on 15 May 2025 across 13 tables in two rounds.
Why is Tejashwi Yadav demanding a return to ballot paper voting?
Tejashwi Yadav alleges that Electronic Voting Machines favour the BJP-led NDA and that the RJD would win far more seats if elections were conducted using ballot papers. He has also alleged that the RJD secured over 150 seats via postal ballots in the Bihar Assembly elections before losing through what he described as manipulation — claims that have not been independently verified.
What has the Election Commission said about EVM reliability?
The Election Commission of India has consistently defended the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines, stating they are tamper-proof. No court in India has upheld allegations of EVM manipulation.
What was the total voter turnout and vote breakdown in the Bhojpur-Buxar by-election?
A total of 5,956 votes were cast. Sonu Kumar Rai (RJD) received 2,486 votes, Kanhaiya Prasad (JD-U) received 2,146 votes, Manoj Upadhyay received 636 votes, and 621 votes were declared invalid.
