Bihar Election Phase 1 Registers Record 64.66% Voter Turnout
Bihar achieved a significant milestone in democratic participation as the first phase of the Legislative Assembly elections recorded a historic voter turnout of 64.66%. Polling occurred across multiple constituencies on Thursday, with voters coming out in large numbers to cast their ballots for the next state government. The electoral fate of 1,314 candidates has been sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), marking a strong start to the multi-phase electoral process.
This phase featured several high-profile leaders in the electoral contest, including Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sixteen ministers from the Nitish Kumar cabinet were also in the running. Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, the Chief Ministerial candidate from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) representing the Mahagathbandhan alliance, attracted significant public attention during the campaign.
Except for a few isolated incidents, voting was largely peaceful. However, one concerning incident took place in Lakhisarai district when miscreants attacked the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha near a polling booth. The Election Commission took this matter seriously and instructed DGP Vinay Kumar to take strict action against those involved. Additionally, security was immediately tightened in the area to prevent any further disturbances.
As part of its International Election Visitor Programme, the Election Commission also hosted delegates from six different countries. These delegates visited various polling constituencies in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, and Nalanda to observe the voting process firsthand. They praised the Commission’s arrangements, commending India’s ability to conduct elections on such a large scale with transparency, fairness, and efficiency.
This year’s high turnout underscores the growing awareness and involvement of Bihar’s electorate. Analysts believe this increase reflects greater political engagement, particularly among young voters and first-time voters, who played a crucial role in boosting participation.
The successful completion of the first phase has set a positive tone for the remaining phases of the election. With polling being largely peaceful and participation at a record high, attention now turns to how the political landscape will evolve as counting day approaches.
The Election Commission continues to monitor all regions closely, ensuring the subsequent phases are conducted with the same level of security, transparency, and public trust. Bihar’s strong voter turnout reaffirms the robust nature of Indian democracy and the commitment of its citizens to shaping the future of their state.
