Bihar Election 2025: Phase 1 Voting Begins Across 121 Seats
Over 3.75 crore voters in Bihar are casting their votes today, November 6, 2025, during the first phase of the Assembly elections. This phase covers 121 of the 243 constituencies, making it one of the most crucial rounds of polling in the state.
This phase is particularly significant for the opposition alliance, the Mahagathbandhan, which won 63 of these seats in the 2020 elections. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising the BJP and Janata Dal (United), secured 55 seats in the same phase of the previous election.
The outcome will not only evaluate the major alliances but also reflect the strength of smaller parties. The Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) is contesting in 10 of its 20 allotted seats during this phase, six of which it currently holds. The party performed well in the last election and aims to maintain its success this time.
In the ruling NDA, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) is contesting 10 out of 29 seats in this phase, but currently holds only one seat. The Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) is also facing pressure, with six of its 15 seats going to vote today. VIP leader Mukesh Sahani has been announced as the Deputy Chief Ministerial candidate by the Mahagathbandhan.
Key leaders in the fray include Tejashwi Yadav, the opposition’s Chief Ministerial candidate, as well as the state’s Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. Former Bihar BJP chief Mangal Pandey is contesting his first Assembly election from Siwan.
This phase also features several celebrity candidates, including folk singer Maithili Thakur (BJP – Aliganj) and Bhojpuri stars Khesari Lal Yadav (RJD – Chhapra) and Ritesh Pandey (Jan Suraaj Party – Kargahar).
Key constituencies to watch include Mahua, where Tej Pratap Yadav is running as an independent candidate, as well as Mokama and Raghunathpur, which are expected to host high-profile contests.
According to the Election Commission, voting is taking place at 45,341 polling stations, of which 36,733 are located in rural areas. Approximately 10.72 lakh new voters have registered, including 7.38 lakh youth voters aged 18 to 19 years.
The results of this phase will set the tone for the remaining two phases of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025.
