Bihar Assembly Election 2025: Record turnout in first phase; Begusarai records highest turnout, Sheikhpura lowest
The first part of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 concluded on Thursday, with voting in 121 out of 243 areas. Voting started at 7 a.m. and mostly ended at 6 p.m., but in some sensitive places, it finished at 5 p.m.
The first phase of the elections has created history, breaking all previous voting records. The 121 constituencies in the state that were to vote saw unprecedented voter turnout since early morning. A total of 1,314 candidates are contesting in the first phase, and the voter turnout has signaled a more intense contest this time around.
By noon, the average voter turnout for the 2020 Assembly elections had been surpassed, and by 5 p.m., voter turnout reached 60.13%, significantly higher than previous elections. While the total voter turnout in 2020 was 58.7%, the figure stood at 56.9% in the 2015 elections.
This year's voting trends clearly indicate that the public is extremely enthusiastic about this election and is actively participating in exercising their right to vote.
Begusarai records highest turnout, Sheikhpura lowest
According to the Election Commission, 42.31% of voters had cast their ballots by 1 p.m., and the final turnout was 60.13%. Begusarai had the highest turnout at 67.32%, while Sheikhpura had the lowest at 52.36%. In Patna, the state capital, 55.02% of voters participated.
The elections for all 243 assembly seats in Bihar will take place in two phases, with results announced on November 14. The first phase also tested the political strength of 18 ministers, including two Deputy Chief Ministers. Notable candidates include Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Samrat Choudhary, Vijay Kumar Sinha, and Anant Singh.