‘Festival Of Democracy’ Begins In Bihar, Says PM Modi

The first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 began on Thursday, with the Prime Minister urging citizens to take part wholeheartedly in what he described as the ‘festival of democracy’.

Emphasising civic responsibility, he reminded voters to prioritise their duty with his familiar message, “First voting, then refreshments.”

Appealing particularly to young and first-time voters, the Prime Minister encouraged them to demonstrate their commitment to democracy and inspire others through active participation.

Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Today in Bihar is the first phase of the festival of democracy. My appeal to all voters of this phase in the assembly elections is that they should vote with full enthusiasm. On this occasion, my special congratulations to all my young companions of the state who are going to cast their vote for the first time. Remember—first voting, then refreshments!”

Voting is underway across 121 constituencies in 18 districts, signalling the start of a crucial electoral contest in the state.

Over 3.75 crore registered voters will determine the outcome for 1,314 candidates, including 122 women contenders.

Polling began at 7 AM and will continue until 6 PM. In sensitive regions, polling stations will close an hour earlier. These areas include Simri Bakhtiyarpur, Mahishi, Tarapur, Munger, Jamalpur, and parts of Suryagarha.

To ensure smooth and transparent polling, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has implemented extensive security and monitoring measures.

All 45,324 polling booths are under continuous live webcasting for real-time observation.

A team comprising 121 general observers, 18 police observers, and 33 expenditure observers is supervising the polling process across constituencies.

Security forces, including the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces and state police units, are positioned throughout the polling network to maintain order and safety.

Highlighting inclusivity, the ECI has introduced 926 polling booths managed entirely by women, 107 overseen by differently-abled personnel, and 320 model booths equipped with improved voter facilities.

The first phase sets the tone for a high-stakes electoral battle. Voters and authorities alike are aiming for a peaceful and participatory start to Bihar’s democratic exercise.

Also Read: First Phase Of Bihar Assembly Polls 2025 Begins Today Across 18 Districts