Bihar Records Historic 66.91% Voter Turnout – Highest Since 1951; Women Lead With Record Participation

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections recorded a historic 66.91% overall turnout — the highest ever in the state’s electoral history.

The figure surpasses all previous assembly and parliamentary elections since 1951, reflecting strong civic engagement and smooth poll management.

Provisional data released by the ECI revealed that female participation stood at 71.6%, the highest ever recorded in Bihar, while male participation reached 62.8%.

“This remarkable turnout shows the growing faith of Bihar’s electorate in the democratic process,” said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who monitored the election alongside Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi.

Women Voters Lead the Way

For the first time, women voters in Bihar outnumbered men in polling booths across the state. Out of over 7.45 crore registered voters, 3.51 crore were women.

ECI data showed that female turnout exceeded male turnout in nearly every district, marking a milestone for women’s participation in Indian democracy.

Election officials credited extensive voter awareness campaigns, door-to-door outreach by JEEViKA Didis, and improved polling infrastructure for the increased participation.

“Bihar’s women have redefined electoral participation with their enthusiasm and awareness,” said an ECI spokesperson.

Smooth Conduct and Global Recognition

The two-phased elections — held across 38 districts and 243 constituencies — involved over 8.5 lakh polling personnel, 1.4 lakh polling agents, and 348 observers, including general, police, and expenditure officials.

The ECI utilised webcasting at all 90,740 polling stations, ensuring transparency and real-time monitoring.

For the first time, 16 delegates from six countries — including South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Belgium, and Colombia — observed the election process under the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP).

The foreign observers commended Bihar’s elections as among the ‘most organised and transparent’ globally.

Phase-Wise Turnout

In Phase I, Bihar recorded 65.08% turnout, while Phase II saw an even higher 68.76%, contributing to the cumulative record of 66.91%.

The ECI noted that no re-polls were required, reflecting the peaceful conduct of the elections.

Across the two phases, 2,616 candidates contested the elections, supported by 1.8 lakh volunteers and community members.

District collectors organised local initiatives such as voter marathons and awareness drives to boost participation.

The Election Commission described the 2025 Bihar elections as ‘a festival of democracy and a matter of pride for Bihar’.

With women leading the participation rate and the state recording its highest-ever turnout, Bihar has set a new benchmark for electoral engagement in India.

The final figures, including postal ballots and service voter data, will be confirmed in the upcoming ECI Index Card, but officials affirmed that the 2025 election marks a ‘historic milestone in India’s democratic journey’.

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