Voting for the first phase of Bihar elections ended successfully on Thursday (6 November 2025). About 64.66 percent people voted on 121 assembly seats in 18 districts. Setting an example of active participation in politics among the people of Bihar, it broke the records of last many years. According to the Election Commission, many EVMs were also changed during voting.

Candidates in the first phase include Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav, BJP candidates Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha (both current deputy chief ministers), Bihar JDU president Umesh Kushwaha and RJD’s Bhola Yadav.

10 big things about Bihar elections

1. Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar Vinod Kumar Gunjiyal said that in this election less number of EVMs have been changed as compared to last time. He told that this time 1.21 percent ballot units were changed, whereas in the 2020 elections this number was 1.87 percent. Similarly, this time 1.34 percent change was made in control units, whereas in 2020 this figure was 1.77 percent.

2. Gunjiyal said that this time less changes were required in VVPAT machines also. In this phase, 2.92 percent VVPAT machines were replaced, whereas in 2020 this number was 4.9 percent. In the first phase, more than 3 crore voters exercised their franchise at more than 45 thousand voting centres.

3. This time the voting process was more smooth than before and there has been a significant reduction in technical problems. According to the Election Commission, this time there was special participation of women in voting. 165 ballot units, 169 control units and 480 VVPATs were changed during voting.

4. There were about 8,609 polling stations in urban areas. At the same time, there were 36,733 polling stations in rural areas. There were a total of 1,314 candidates in the first phase, of which 1,192 were male and 122 female candidates. The number of polling stations run entirely by women was 926. The number of centers operated by PWD polling personnel was 107.

5. The election officer said, “Live telecasting took place from all the polling stations. During this time, all the complaints received were resolved. Boycott was reported in some polling stations of Brahmapur, Fatuha and Suryagarha of Buxar.” The Election Commission received a total of 143 complaints, which were resolved at the same time.

6. Regarding the violence during the elections, ADG Kundan Krishnan said that two-three such incidents have come to light. Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha had to face opposition from the villagers in Khuriyari village of Lakhisarai. He said that the Deputy CM is also accused of throwing mud. However, DM and SP immediately reached the spot and evacuated the Deputy CM safely from there. The second incident was reported from Saran where the car of sitting MLA Satyendra Yadav was attacked. There is no news of anyone being injured.

7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence of NDA’s victory after the first phase of voting in Bihar assembly elections. He posted on X and said, the tremendous enthusiasm of the people shows that BJP will get an unprecedented majority. Along with this, its wave is visible everywhere in the second phase also.

8. 16 delegations from 6 countries from around the world watched the voting held in 18 districts of Bihar live and saw the entire system closely. These delegates came from South Africa, Philippines, Thailand, Belgium, Indonesia and Colombia. This is the first time that Bihar elections were seen at the international level.

9. More than 4 lakh polling personnel were put on duty for the first phase of elections. All these employees had reached their respective booths by 11:20 pm on Wednesday (5 November 2025). Whereas 1,314 candidates had appointed 67,902 polling agents for the polling stations.

10. According to the Election Commission, more than 90 thousand Jeevika Didis/women volunteers were deployed at all the polling stations along with CAPF jawans. The Election Commission arranged e-rickshaws for disabled voters. (with agency input)

Voting for the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections (2025) ended on Thursday (November 06, 2025). Voting took place on 121 seats in 18 districts. This time the voting percentage has increased. Meanwhile, Prashant Kishore, the founder of Jan Suraj, has given a big statement. Prashant Kishore says that the highest turnout in the last 30 years is an indication that change is coming in Bihar. A new system is going to be established on 14th November..

Let us tell you that last time 55.81 percent voting took place on these 121 seats. This time the figure reached 60.13 percent at 5 pm itself. Prashant Kishor’s party has entered the field with full force this time. It remains to be seen how many seats the party wins.

#WATCH Gaya, Bihar: Prashant Kishore, founder of Jan Suraj, said, “The highest turnout in the last 30 years is a sign that change is coming in Bihar. A new system is going to be established on November 14…” pic.twitter.com/vLLl5X7LgL

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) November 6, 2025

The respective claims of the leaders of the Grand Alliance

On the other hand, the leaders of the Grand Alliance have their own claims. Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary MA Baby on Thursday (November 06, 2025) said that the Grand Alliance’s campaign has received an overwhelming response from the people of Bihar and expressed confidence that the people, especially the youth, will reject the ‘politics of hate’.

The CPI(M) general secretary said in a post on ‘X’ that the opposition alliance has raised the issues of people’s welfare and livelihood. Baby said, “The Grand Alliance campaign has received an overwhelming response from the people of Bihar. We have been successful in bringing to the fore the issues of people’s welfare and livelihood.”

Mukesh Sahni said – there will be change in Bihar

Regarding the first phase of voting, VIP supremo Mukesh Sahni said that there is a wave of change in Bihar. We have received information that bumper voting has taken place. I hope that this time there will be a change in entire Bihar and a grand alliance government will be formed.

Samrat claimed victory on more than 100 seats

BJP leader and Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary thanked for the high turnout in the first phase. He said that the report has come that out of 121 seats, NDA is winning about 100 seats. Just as no one from the Lalu family came out victorious in 2010, this time also no one from the Lalu family is going to win.

Also read- Bihar Elections: Chirag Paswan guessed everything from the first phase of voting, whose government will be formed?

The first phase of voting for the formation of the 18th Assembly in Bihar is on 6 November 2025, Thursday. In this election, a close contest is being considered between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led Grand Alliance (MGB). Apart from this, Jan Suraaj formed by Prashant Kishor, Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) headed by Tej Pratap Yadav, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram- APS-K) headed by Nagina MP Chandrashekhar and Swami Prasad Maurya’s own party, who was a cabinet minister in the UP government. (Apni Party) is also in the fray on some seats.

Talking about NDA, along with BJP are Janata Dal United (JDU) led by CM Nitish Kumar, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) headed by Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas- LJP-R) led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan. In the Grand Alliance, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Indian National Congress (Congress), Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and Left parties are together.

In the first phase, more than 3 crore voters will exercise their franchise in 121 assembly constituencies of 18 districts of the state – Patna, Nalanda, Bhojpur, Buxar, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Khagaria, Munger, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Saharsa, Madhepura, Siwan, Gopalganj, Saran, Vaishali and Samastipur.

There are 1,314 candidates for these 121 seats, of which 1,192 are male and 122 are female candidates. 3 crore 75 lakh 13 thousand 302 voters will take part in the first phase of voting. There are 3 lakh 22 thousand 77 disabled voters, 6 thousand 736 centenarians and 9 lakh 6 thousand government servant voters.

In the first phase, Raghunathpur, Gopalganj, Mahua, Raghopur, Alinagar, Gaura Bauram, Buxar, Danapur, Maner, Tarapur, Lakhisarai, Munger and Ekma – these are the 13 assembly constituencies on which everyone’s eyes will be.

In the voting on November 6, the fate of many big faces including Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, Janashakti Janata Dal leader Tej Pratap Yadav, Anant Singh, Veena Devi, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, Deputy CM Vijay Sinha, Maithili Thakur, Ramkripal Yadav, Bhai Virendra in the Bharatiya Janata Party led National Democratic Alliance government, will be captured in the EVM.

The seats for which voting will be held in the first phase on 6 November 2025 include Alamnagar, Bihariganj, Singheshwar (SC), Madhepura, Sonbarsha (SC), Saharsa, Simri Bakhtiyarpur, Mahishi, Kusheshwar Asthan (SC), Gaura Bauram, Benipur, Alinagar, Darbhanga Rural, Darbhanga, Hayaghat, Bahadurpur, Kevati, Jale, Gaighat, Aurai, Meenapur, Bochahan (SC), Sakra (SC), Kudhni, Muzaffarpur, Kanti, Bururaj, Paru, Sahebganj, Baikunthpur, Barauli, Gopalganj, Kuchaikot, Bhore (SC), Hathua, Siwan, Jiradei, Darauli (SC), Raghunathpur, Darunda, Badharia, Goriyakothi, Maharajganj, Ekma, Manjhi, Baniapur, Taraiya, Marhaura, Chhapra, Garkha (SC), Amnaur, Parsa, Sonpur, Hajipur, Lalganj, Vaishali, Mahua, Rajapakar (SC), Raghopur, Mehnar, Patepur (SC), Kalyanpur (SC), Warisnagar, Samastipur, Ujiarpur, Morwa, Sarayaranjan, Mohiuddinnagar, Vibhutipur, Rosera (SC), Hasanpur, Cheria-Bariarpur, Bachhwara, Teghra, Matihani, Sahebpur Kamal, Begusarai, Bakhri (SC), Alauli (SC), Khagaria, Beldaur, Parbatta, Tarapur, Munger, Jamalpur, Suryagarha, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, Barbigha, Asthawan, Biharsharif, Rajgir (SC), Islampur, Hilsa, Nalanda, Harnaut, Mokama, Barh, Bakhtiyarpur, Digha, Bankipur, Kumhrar, Patna Sahib, Fatuha, Danapur, Maner, Phulwarisharif (SC), Masodhi (SC), Paliganj, Bikram, Sandesh, Badhara, Ara, Agiaon (SC), Tarari, Jagdishpur, Shahpur, Brahmapur, Buxar, Dumraon, Rajpur (SC).

Voting for the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections (2025) will be held on Thursday (November 06, 2025). Voting will start from 7 am. Its preparations have been completed. In the first phase, 3.75 crore voters will decide the electoral fate of 1,314 candidates. In this phase, apart from Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, Vijay Kumar Sinha, the fate of 16 ministers is also at stake.

Tejashwi Yadav is trying to register his third consecutive victory from Raghopur seat. His main rival is Satish Kumar of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who had defeated Tejashwi’s mother and former chief minister Rabri Devi on the Janata Dal (United) ticket in 2010. Jan Suraj Party has made Chanchal Singh its candidate from Raghopur seat.

There will be an interesting contest on Mahua assembly seat.

Tej Pratap Yadav, elder brother of Tejashwi Yadav and founder of Janashakti Janata Dal, is trapped in a multi-cornered contest in Mahua seat adjacent to Raghopur seat of Vaishali. The contest on this seat will be interesting. Tej Pratap is challenging RJD MLA Mukesh Roshan on this seat. National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituent Sanjay Singh of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Asma Parveen, who stood second in 2020, are in the fray as independent candidates, making the contest interesting.

11 BJP ministers and five JDU ministers are in the fray.

On the other hand, in the first phase, the fate of 16 ministers of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s government will be decided. These include 11 ministers from BJP and five from JDU. Health Minister Mangal Pandey from BJP quota from Siwan, Nitin Naveen from Bankipur, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary from Tarapur, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha from Lakhisarai, Urban Development Minister Jivesh Mishra from Darbhanga’s Jale, Revenue Minister Sanjay Saraogi from Darbhanga Urban, Panchayati Raj Minister Kedar Prasad Gupta from Kudhni, Tourism Minister Raju Kumar from Sahibganj, Information and Technology Minister Krishna Kumar Mantu from Amanour, Environment Minister from Bihar Sharif. Sunil Kumar and Sports Minister Surendra Mehta are in the fray from Bachhwara.

The five ministers from JDU include Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary (Sarai Ranjan), Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar from Nalanda, Social Welfare Minister Madan Sahni from Bahadurpur, Information and Public Relations Minister Maheshwar Hazari from Kalyanpur and Ratnesh Sada from Sonbarsa.

Mangal Pandey is contesting assembly elections for the first time

Senior BJP leader and minister Mangal Pandey is contesting the assembly elections for the first time. He is contesting from Siwan seat, where he is contesting against senior RJD leader and former Assembly Speaker Avadh Bihari Chaudhary. Mangal Pandey is currently an assembly councillor.

Raghunathpur becomes hot seat due to Shahabuddin’s son Osama

Raghunathpur seat near Siwan is also in discussion, from where Bahubali and former MP late Mohd. Shahabuddin’s son Osama Shahab is contesting the elections. Other popular candidates include young folk singer Maithili Thakur (Alinagar) from BJP, Bhojpuri actor Khesari Lal Yadav (Chhapra) from RJD and singer Ritesh Pandey (Karghar) from Jan Suraj Party.

Mokama assembly seat in discussion due to two strongmen

Mokama seat is also one of the most discussed seats, where jailed JDU candidate Anant Singh is contesting against RJD’s Veena Devi, who is the wife of strongman leader Suraj Bhan. There is a lot of discussion about the seat because of two strongmen.

Voting is to be held on a total of 121 seats in the first phase.

According to the Election Commission, voting will be held on 121 seats in the first phase. Among these, Digha (Patna) has the highest number of voters at 4.58 lakh, while Barbigha (Shekhpura) has the least number of voters at 2.32 lakh. Kudhni and Muzaffarpur have the maximum of 20 candidates each, while Bhore, Alauli and Parbatta have only five candidates each. A total of 45,341 polling stations have been created, out of which 36,733 are in rural areas. Out of the total voters, 10.72 lakh are new voters, while the number of voters in the age group of 18-19 years is 7.38 lakh.

For the first phase, 121 general, 18 police and 33 expenditure observers have been appointed. Keeping in view the security arrangements, special surveillance arrangements have been made in rural areas. According to the Election Commission, in the first phase, voting will be held in Madhepura, Saharsa, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Munger, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Patna, Bhojpur and Buxar districts.

In the first phase, a total of three crore 75 lakh 13 thousand 302 voters will be eligible to exercise their franchise. These include one crore 98 lakh 35 thousand 325 men, one crore 76 lakh 77 thousand 219 women and 758 third gender voters. A total of 45,341 booths have been made for voting, out of which 45,324 will be main booths and 17 auxiliary booths.

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