The first phase of polling for the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 began today across 121 constituencies out of the state’s total 243. Voting commenced at 7:00 AM and will continue till 6:00 PM, although some polling stations will conclude voting by 5:00 PM due to security considerations.
This election marks a crucial triangular political contest. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United), is facing a strong challenge from the Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Indian National Congress. Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party has emerged as a significant new factor, aiming to shift the political dynamics with its grassroots campaign.
According to data released by the Election Commission of India, the voter turnout stood at 42.31% as of 1:00 PM. Among the districts, Gopalganj recorded the highest turnout at 46.73%, followed by Begusarai at 46.02%. In contrast, the capital district Patna reported the lowest turnout at 37.72%, indicating comparatively slower polling activity.
The Election Commission also addressed and dismissed allegations raised by the Congress party regarding faulty Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The EC clarified that the claims were false and misleading, adding that any minor technical issues were promptly resolved without affecting the polling process.
With voter participation steadily increasing, political observers are closely watching this phase for signs of public sentiment and potential shifts in power.
