Historic Voter Turnout in Bihar After 25 Years: 60.18% Polling in First Phase, Begusarai Tops the List

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Bihar witnessed a record voter turnout in the first phase of the Assembly elections on Thursday, with an estimated 60.18% polling, marking the highest participation in 25 years. The official voting period ended at 5 p.m., though voters already in line were allowed to cast their ballots.

Large numbers of women voters were seen turning up at polling stations since early morning, continuing Bihar’s recent trend of higher female voter participation compared to men.

Among the top-performing districts in terms of turnout were Begusarai (67.32%), Samastipur (66.65%), Madhepura (65.74%), and Muzaffarpur (65.23%). On the other hand, Sheikhpura (52.36%) and Bhojpur (53.24%) recorded lower turnouts, while the capital Patna reported around 55.02% polling. Officials said the final figures could rise slightly after verification.

Polling was held for 121 of Bihar’s 243 Assembly seats in this first phase, while the remaining 122 constituencies will vote in the second phase on November 11. Results will be announced on November 14.

Isolated Violence Reported

The election day was largely peaceful, though sporadic incidents of violence were reported. In Lakhisarai, the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha was attacked with stones and slippers. In Chhapra, vehicles belonging to the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Mahagathbandhan candidate Satyendra Yadav were allegedly targeted. The Election Commission has sought a report from Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar and directed immediate action.

Vijay Kumar Sinha, who has represented the Lakhisarai Assembly seat since 2010, had earlier won the same seat in 2005 but lost in the re-election that year after a hung verdict.

NDA vs Mahagathbandhan: A Tough Contest

The Bihar election is shaping up as a direct contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (JD-U) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan led by Tejashwi Yadav (RJD). Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) has emerged as a third front, potentially disrupting vote shares in several key constituencies.

The RJD has also accused the administration of deliberately cutting power in Mahagathbandhan strongholds to slow down polling.

Prominent candidates in the first phase included Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha (BJP), JD-U state president Umesh Kushwaha, and RJD’s Bhola Yadav, a close aide of party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.