Patna: Bihar’s 2025 Assembly elections have made history, with record voter participation across all 243 constituencies. The Election Commission has called the two-phase polling a “model of transparency and public trust”, citing unprecedented enthusiasm from voters and the peaceful conduct of the process.
Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal announced in a press conference that the final turnout stood at 66.9%, nearly 9.6 percentage points higher than the previous assembly election. The final phase alone recorded 68.79%, with women voters outnumbering men in most districts. “This reflects growing awareness and a deepening faith in democracy,” Gunjiyal said.
He added that data from about 2,000 booths is still being compiled, suggesting the final figure may climb higher. Notably, over 3.7 crore voters cast their ballots in the second phase across 45,399 polling stations, many monitored through live webcasting for the first time.
A Peaceful Election, a Transparent System
The election, officials said, was free of major violence — a rarity in Bihar’s political history. Advanced GPS tracking of EVMs ensured real-time monitoring and curbed delays or tampering attempts. The commission also confirmed the seizure of contraband worth ₹127 crore, including alcohol and drugs, marking the state’s strictest enforcement campaign yet.
Despite 35 reported cases of poll boycotts, officials noted that participation was overwhelming elsewhere, including in several Maoist-affected regions such as Jamui, Gaya, and Rohtas — where citizens voted freely after two decades. “Even the wives of former extremists came out to vote,” said ADG Headquarters Kundan Krishnan, crediting robust deployment of special forces and real-time surveillance.
Democracy’s Triumph
Gunjiyal described the polling as a “festival of democracy” where women queued in large numbers alongside first-time voters. “This election has set a new benchmark in discipline, transparency, and participation,” he said, thanking voters, poll staff, and security personnel.
Officials believe Bihar’s 2025 elections could serve as a template for other states, combining strong logistics, digital transparency, and mass civic engagement.
