Patna: Voting is underway for the first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections, covering 121 seats across 18 districts. Polling began at 7 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m. The elections, spread over two phases for all 243 assembly seats, will conclude on November 6, with results to be declared on November 14.
A total of 1,314 candidates are in the fray in this first phase, with 3.75 crore voters set to decide their fate across 45,341 polling booths. Of the 121 seats, 104 are witnessing direct contests, while 17 are expected to see three-way battles.
Big names and high stakes
Ten constituencies have emerged as the most closely watched contests, featuring key leaders such as Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary, former Speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha, and strongman Anant Singh.
Adding star power to the political field are Bhojpuri cinema’s Khesari Lal Yadav, contesting from Chhapra on an RJD ticket; folk singer Maithili Thakur from Alinagar; and Bhojpuri singer Ritesh Pandey from Kargahar.
Ministers, security, and alliances
The credibility of 18 ministers, including two Deputy Chief Ministers, is at stake in this round. To ensure smooth and secure polling, over 4 lakh security personnel have been deployed across the state.
From the NDA, JD(U) has fielded candidates in 57 constituencies, BJP in 48, LJP (Ram Vilas) in 13, Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) in 2, and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) in 1.
On the Grand Alliance (INDIA bloc) side, RJD is contesting 72 seats, Congress 24, CPI (ML) 14, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and CPI 6 each, while CPM is contesting 3 seats and IP Gupta’s Indian People’s Party (IPP) 2 seats. Friendly contests are being reported on six seats.
The first phase of voting sets the tone for the fiercely contested Bihar Assembly Elections, where both alliances are locked in a battle to claim the state’s political heartland.
