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Record 65% Turnout for Bihar Phase 1 Poll

New Delhi: Amid allegations of voter intimidation, booth mismanagement, and stray incidents of violence, the first phase of polling for 121 Assembly seats across 18 districts of Bihar took place on Thursday, recording an unprecedented 64.66 per cent turnout as per data available till 8 pm.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) said this was the highest-ever voter turnout in the state’s history, with 3.75 crore registered voters. Districts such as Samastipur (70.63 per cent), Begusarai (68.02 per cent), and Vaishali (67.37 per cent) recorded the highest participation. Previously, Bihar’s best polling performance stood at 64.6 per cent during the 1998 Lok Sabha elections and 62.57 per cent in the 2000 Assembly polls.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar congratulated voters for the historic turnout and appreciated poll officials for conducting a transparent and efficient election.

In a first for Bihar, 16 international delegates from six countries, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Belgium, and Colombia, observed the voting process as part of the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP).

The high-stakes contest between the ruling NDA (JD-U and BJP), battling anti-incumbency, and the Mahagathbandhan of RJD, Congress, CPI-ML (Liberation) and others saw tensions both inside and outside polling booths.

Several videos circulated on social media alleged that Yadav and Muslim voters, traditional supporters of RJD and Congress, were prevented from voting at certain booths. In some instances, district authorities intervened following complaints.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha claimed his convoy was attacked in Buriyari village of Lakhisarai, his home constituency, while responding to reports that “terrorised” voters were being obstructed. Local officials, however, suggested that the attack may have stemmed from residents’ frustration over poor infrastructure.

“Roads have been built and are being maintained. How dare you say such a thing?” Sinha reportedly shouted at officials after alleging that “slippers, stones, mud and cow dung” were hurled at his convoy. The CEC directed the Bihar DGP to take immediate action on the matter.

Sinha, who is contesting for a fourth consecutive term, alleged that RJD workers had driven away polling agents and intimidated Dalit and backward-class voters. Following his complaint, DIG (Munger Range) Rakesh Kumar rushed to the spot, assuring that those responsible would be booked.

A separate video also surfaced showing Sinha arguing with RJD MLC Ajay Singh, with both leaders trading abuse and accusing each other of booth capturing. Sinha was heard urging police to conduct a medical test on the RJD legislator, alleging he was intoxicated in violation of the state’s liquor ban.

In Saran district’s Manjhi Assembly constituency, the convoy of CPI(ML) Liberation MLA Satyendra Yadav was reportedly attacked by unidentified persons. The police confirmed that no injuries were reported and said a search was underway to identify the “anti-social elements” involved.

The RJD also shared videos from Muzaffarpur’s Sahebganj showing Muslim voters claiming they were turned away on the grounds that “their votes had already been cast.” Following intervention by election officials, the voters were later allowed to vote.

Another viral video from Danapur’s Nasirganj showed voters alleging that police stopped boats from ferrying them across the river to polling stations because they were RJD supporters. One woman reportedly delivered a baby on the riverbank amid the chaos. The state administration later released photographs showing boats in operation, which locals dismissed as a “cover-up.”

Several voters also complained that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) had deliberately withheld voter slips, preventing them from exercising their franchise.

At the national level, the ECI headquarters in New Delhi monitored polling live from over 45,000 booths via CCTV cameras, installed for the first time across all polling stations in Bihar.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners S.S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi remained stationed at the Nirvachan Sadan Control Room, reviewing updates throughout the day.