In the first phase of polling held on Thursday, Bihar saw a voter turnout of 64.66 per cent — a jump from the 56.1 per cent turnout recorded in the opening phase of the 2020 Bihar Assembly Election. The figure is already being dubbed as the highest ever in Bihar in the last more than two decades.
In a press statement issued by the Election Commission, the poll panel said in 2000, Bihar had clocked a total voter turnout of 62.57 per cent. While Bihar is yet to conclude this year’s election, the voting percentage in the first phase is arguably the highest in the last 25 years.
Meanwhile, moments after voting concluded on 121 seats in the first phase, both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan camps claimed victory while reacting to the voting percentage.
In its first reaction, Congress said the Mahagathbandhan alliance is confident of forming the government in Bihar. Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Pawan Khera said: “We are forming the next government with a clear majority. Maybe, more than just a clear majority.”
#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: On the attack on the convoy of Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha, Congress leader Pawan Khera says, “…We have been saying that there is ‘gundaraj’ in Bihar. Today, they themselves had to suffer the consequences of ‘gundaraj’…We are forming the government in… pic.twitter.com/xjXTNeMSyn
— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2025
Reacting to the voter turnout, Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishore said: “Highest voter turnout in the last 30 years indicates an imminent change in Bihar. There will be a new arrangement on the 14th (counting date).”
#WATCH | #BiharElection2025 Phase 1 | Gaya, Bihar | Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor says, “Highest polling in the last 30 years indicates that change is coming to Bihar. A new system is going to be established on the 14th (November)…” pic.twitter.com/lMz42DOgtM
— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2025
However, it was not just the Opposition that claimed victory after assessing the high voter turnout. Speaking to PTI, Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms Minister and BJP candidate Sanjay Saraogi said: “The wave is strong; there’s a clear surge in favour of the NDA. The public was excited and had been looking forward to election day. Both party workers and the public were full of excitement. The NDA is heading toward a massive victory.”
VIDEO | Bihar Elections 2025: When asked about phase I polling, Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms Minister and BJP candidate Sanjay Saraogi said, “The wave is strong, there’s a clear surge in favor of the NDA. The public was excited and had been looking forward to election day…… pic.twitter.com/m7I8A7pEQw
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 6, 2025
JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar went a step ahead and credited the Bihar government’s Mahila Rozgar Yojana for the voting percentage. In an interview to the PTI, he said: “After the first phase of voting, the Opposition alleged vote theft. What does 60 per cent voting percentage signify? The voting percentage increased. Along with that, a new social base supported NDA, through Mahila Rozgar Yojana, the extremely backward, and Dalit beneficiaries voted in large numbers.”
VIDEO | As the first phase of voting concludes in Bihar, JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar (@neerajkumarmlc) says high voting percentage was recorded because of Mahila Rozgar Yojana.
He says, “After the first phase of voting, the Opposition alleged vote theft. What does 60 pc voting… pic.twitter.com/5TyEIkvfbk
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 6, 2025
He added, “Definitely, Bihar wants development, (they) trust in the leadership, people still trust Nitish Kumar. As per my information, Tejashwi Yadav will find it very difficult to win from Raghopur. The most important is expansion of social base. There were amazing scenes at the booths.”
