Patna: The noise of campaigning has finally fallen silent in Bihar, as the state prepares for the first phase of its Assembly elections on November 6. Voting will take place across 121 constituencies spread over 18 districts, marking the start of a crucial electoral battle that will determine the political direction of the state.
The campaign officially ended at 5pm on Tuesday, with senior leaders from both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Grand Alliance making last-minute appeals to voters. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, BJP National President JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were among the key figures who rallied for NDA candidates.
On the opposition front, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav led multiple rallies, while Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, campaigned extensively. Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states also joined efforts to strengthen the Grand Alliance’s presence in the state.
According to the Election Commission, more than 37.5 million voters are eligible to cast their votes in this phase. Of these, 19.89 million are men, 17.67 million are women, and 758 identify as third gender. A total of 1,314 candidates, including 122 women, are contesting across 102 general and 19 reserved constituencies.
To facilitate the polls, 45,341 polling booths have been set up, with 36,733 located in rural areas and 8,608 in urban centres. Polling officials have received special training, and the Commission has emphasized the need for smooth and transparent voting procedures.
Several high-profile constituencies will be closely watched. In Mokama, the arrest of former MLA Anant Singh following a murder case has drawn national attention. Meanwhile, key political figures such as Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, and Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha will see their electoral fortunes sealed in the first phase.
Security has been tightened across the state ahead of the polls. The Indo-Nepal border has been sealed, and a three-tier security arrangement has been deployed at all polling stations. More than 1,000 checkpoints have been established for continuous monitoring, with armed forces stationed at every voting location.
The Election Commission has said it is taking all necessary measures to ensure that polling on November 6 is fair, secure, and free from violence — setting the tone for what promises to be a decisive election in Bihar’s political landscape.
