Patna: Voting in the first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections proceeded on Monday under tight security, with reports of violence and political unrest emerging from parts of the state. Polling began at 7 a.m. across 121 seats in 18 districts, reaching a turnout of 27.65% by noon. Voting is scheduled to continue until 6 p.m.
In Bihar Sharif, Nalanda district, four Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were detained for allegedly distributing voter slips near booths 226 to 232 in Ward No. 16. BJP candidate Dr Sunil Kumar accused the police of partisan action, claiming the arresting officer was affiliated with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Tensions escalated locally, but authorities deployed additional forces to restore order.
Elsewhere in Muzaffarpur district, BJP supporter Babulal Mandal Dhanuk was attacked by villagers in Bariyarpur Mathiya, Motipur police station area, after distributing pamphlets. Dhanuk sustained a head injury and was hospitalised in critical condition; he said his wife and daughter were also assaulted. Police said the attackers fled before they could intervene.
The Election Commission has requested reports from local authorities, and officials have assured strict action against those responsible. Despite the incidents, authorities reported that the overall voting process was largely unaffected. Analysts say the events highlight the intensifying stakes and ground-level tensions of Bihar’s political contest.
