Bihar election Phase 1 sees record voter turnout, surpasses 2000 figure

The voting was held on 121 seats spread across 18 districts and a total of 3.75 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise

The first phase of the Bihar assembly concluded on Thursday with a historic voter turnout of 64.66%.

This turnout not only surpassed the previous assembly election record set in 2000 (62.57%) but also eclipsed the highest-ever Lok Sabha polling percentage recorded in the state (64.6% in 1998).

The voting was held on 121 seats spread across 18 districts and a total of 3.75 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in the first phase polls. The second phase of assembly polls will be held on November 11, and the votes will be counted on November 14.

Among the districts that recorded the highest percentage of voting were Begusarai (67.32 per cent), Samastipur (66.65), Madhepura (65.74), Muzaffarpur (65.23 per cent).

For the first time in Bihar, 100% webcasting was implemented across all polling stations, enabling the Election Commission to maintain a close watch on the proceedings. However, the day was not without minor incidents.

Barring a few sporadic incidents, polling was by and large peaceful. In Lakhisarai district, some miscreants attacked the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate Vijay Kumar Sinha near a polling booth. The Election Commission directed the DGP, Vinay Kumar, to take strict action against those involved.

"In the first phase of voting in the Bihar Assembly elections, the NDA has taken a significant lead. The momentum also appears to be carrying into the second phase. Amid this strong public support, I will have the opportunity to meet and interact with families and supporters tomorrow — around 1:45 pm in Aurangabad and around 3:30 pm in Bhabhua," PM Modi wrote on X.

Mahagathbandhan CM face and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said every "Bihari  stepped out from home to ignite  a light of transformation to dispel 20 years of darkness".

"For the first time in 20 years, an unprecedented wave of change is visible in favor of the Mahagathbandhan. Not just from every home, but from every heart, only one voice is resounding: this time, we will bring a new youth government, we will run the government from every home, and we will make every Bihari worry-free and a change-maker, that is, a CM," he posted on X.

The election was held after the recently concluded Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.

Observers told News18 that  a high voter turnout is often interpreted as a sign of anti-incumbency, fuelled by motivated voters eager for change.