Bihar Sets Record with Highest-Ever Voter Turnout in First Phase of Assembly Polls: CEC Calls It a “Victory of Democracy”
Bihar has registered its highest-ever voter turnout in the first phase of the 2025 Assembly elections, with nearly 65% of eligible voters casting their ballots...
Bihar has registered its highest-ever voter turnout in the first phase of the 2025 Assembly elections, with nearly 65% of eligible voters casting their ballots across 121 constituencies. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar hailed the achievement as a “victory of democracy,” crediting transparent electoral rolls, zero appeals in the State Information Report (SIR), and the dedication of election officials for the milestone.
A Landmark Moment for Bihar’s Electoral History
According to provisional figures released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), voter participation in Thursday’s polling surpassed all previous records since Bihar’s first Assembly elections in 1951. The 65% turnout marks a significant increase from 57.29% recorded in the 2020 Assembly polls, which were held under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous record stood at 62.57% in 2000, highlighting the scale of civic engagement this year.
“This is not just a statistic; it’s a statement of faith in democracy,” said an ECI official, describing the turnout as a reflection of growing voter awareness and institutional reforms undertaken to ensure clean electoral rolls and efficient polling arrangements.
“Bihar Has Shown the Way to the Nation”: CEC Gyanesh Kumar
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), CEC Gyanesh Kumar commended the voters and poll staff, saying:
“Bihar has shown the way to the nation. SIR with zero appeals and highest voter turnout since 1951. Purest electoral rolls and enthusiastic participation of electors. Transparent and dedicated election machinery. Democracy wins. It has been an amazing journey for ECI.”
The Election Commission has undertaken extensive measures over the past year to enhance voter registration accuracy, deploy digital monitoring tools, and ensure security and transparency at polling booths.
Rising Participation: From 1951 to 2025
Bihar’s voter engagement has evolved dramatically since India’s first general elections in 1951–52, when the state recorded just 40.35% turnout—the lowest in its history. In contrast, the 1998 Lok Sabha elections saw the highest-ever parliamentary polling in Bihar at 64.6%, a record now surpassed by the current Assembly elections.
Experts believe this surge in participation reflects the success of grassroots awareness campaigns, improved accessibility for women and elderly voters, and increased public trust in the electoral process.
What Lies Ahead
The second and final phase of polling for the remaining 122 Assembly seats will take place on November 11, with results scheduled for November 14. Election authorities are optimistic that the state may sustain or even exceed its first-phase turnout, solidifying Bihar’s reputation as a model for electoral engagement.