The first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 witnessed a voter turnout of 60.13% till 5 PM, according to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Polling took place across 121 constituencies out of the state’s total 243, marking the beginning of a crucial electoral battle between the NDA, Mahagathbandhan, and Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party.
Phase 1: High-Stakes Battle Across 18 Districts
Voting began at 7 AM and continued till 6 PM in most regions, though polling ended at 5 PM in a few constituencies due to security concerns. Nearly 3.75 crore voters across 18 districts, including Patna, Darbhanga, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Saharsa, and Nalanda, cast their votes to decide the fate of 1,314 candidates.
Among the districts, Gopalganj recorded the highest turnout at 46.73% by 1 PM, while Patna saw the lowest at 37.72%, according to early data.
Key Contests and Prominent Candidates
This phase saw several heavyweight politicians on the ballot. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary (BJP) contested from Tarapur, while Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD’s chief ministerial candidate, sought re-election from Raghopur, facing BJP’s Satish Kumar, who had earlier defeated Rabri Devi from the same seat in 2010.
Tej Pratap Yadav, leading the newly formed Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), contested from Mahua, while JD(U)’s Anant Singh, currently in jail over a murder case, ran from Mokama. BJP’s Maithili Thakur also entered the fray from Alinagar.
Major Alliances and Political Debut
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) comprises JD(U), BJP, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. The opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD and Congress, includes left parties such as the CPI, CPI(ML), and CPI(M).
Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party made its political debut, contesting all 243 seats, transforming the polls into a three-way contest.
Polling Figures at a Glance
Out of 3.75 crore eligible voters, 10.72 lakh are first-time voters. There are 122 female and 1,192 male candidates in the fray. Polling was conducted at 45,341 booths, including 926 women-managed and 107 run by people with disabilities, reflecting the Election Commission’s focus on inclusivity and accessibility.
The first phase concluded peacefully, setting the tone for the remaining stages of one of India’s most closely watched state elections.
Also Read: Bihar Elections 2025: Voter Turnout At 53.77% By 3 PM In Phase 1
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