Patna: Bihar’s first phase of voting in the 2025 assembly elections, held on November 6, saw a remarkable voter turnout of 64.66% across 121 constituencies, marking a significant increase from previous elections. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his gratitude to the electorate via a post on X, writing: “Heartfelt thanks to the people of Bihar for the record turnout in the first phase. Bihar has made unprecedented progress in recent years.”
Kumar used the post to urge voters to participate with equal enthusiasm in the second phase of polling, scheduled for November 11. “Now is the time to include Bihar in the category of the most developed states,” he wrote. “In a democracy, voting is not only our right but also our responsibility. Let us ensure respect and development for all.”
Political analysts have noted that the surge in turnout carries broader implications. Approximately 65% of the 3.75 crore eligible voters in the 18 districts that went to the polls in the first phase cast their votes—a nearly 10% rise compared with both the last Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. This unprecedented engagement, not seen since the state’s first general elections in 1952, sends a strong signal to both the ruling NDA, led by Kumar, and the Grand Alliance, whose Chief Ministerial candidate is Tejashwi Yadav.
