Bihar Election 2025 highlights: 66.91% voter turnout recorded as two phased polling concludes

BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Tuesday said that exit polls indicated that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has "completely flopped" and people have voted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and development.

Bihar recorded its highest-ever voter turnout of 66.91 per cent in the Assembly election, which concluded after the second phase of polling on Thursday. This marks the state’s best participation rate since 1951. 

The second phase witnessed an impressive 68.76 per cent turnout, while the first phase saw 65.09 per cent voter participation. Notably, women voters outshone men, with 71.6 per cent of women casting their votes compared to 62.8 per cent of male voters.

Exit Polls on Tuesday predicted a return of the NDA government in Bihar with a big victory over the Mahagathbandhan, and a disappointing show by Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj in its debut outing.

“In the second phase of polling, around 75% voting took place in the Katihar Assembly constituency. Naturally, higher voter turnout makes women’s participation more visible. This time, the women of Katihar, as well as across Bihar, have decided to bring back the NDA government. Since 2005, our government has consistently worked for women, providing reservations in Panchayati Raj institutions, police recruitment, and various technical institutes. Our government has made sustained efforts in the field of women’s empowerment,” Tarkishore Prasad said. 

Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 68.67 per cent as polling concluded in the second phase of the Assembly elections. According to the Election Commission, Katihar registered the highest turnout at 78.39 per cent, while Nawada reported the lowest polling at 57.80 per cent so far. Voting began at 7 am and ended at 6 pm across all Phase 2 constituencies.

Here's the district-wise voter turnout

Araria: 69.58%

Arwal: 63.82%

Aurangabad: 65.36%

Banka: 70.18%

Bhagalpur: 67.41%

Gaya: 68.63%

Jehanabad: 65.33%

Jamui: 69.63%

Kaimur (Bhabua): 68.32%

Katihar: 78.39%

Kishanganj: 77.91%

Madhubani: 63.21%

Nawada: 57.80%

Paschim Champaran: 70.75%

Purnia: 75.87%

Purvi Champaran: 71.10%

Rohtas: 61.79%

Sheohar: 68.67%

Sitamarhi: 66.77%

Supaul: 72.46 %

BJP leader Samrat Choudhary said that it was clear that the NDA was set to form the government in Bihar with 2/3 majority.  

Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan has resigned from the party's primary membership. He resigned due to dissatisfaction with the state unit of the party as he was unhappy with the ticket distribution in the Bihar elections.

EVMs and VVPAT machines were sealed as the voting for the second and final phase concluded in Bihar. 

Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 67.14 per cent till 5 pm as polling continues in the second phase of the Assembly elections. According to the Election Commission, Kishanganj registered the highest turnout at 76.26 per cent, while Nawada reported the lowest polling at 57.11 per cent so far. Voting began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm across all Phase 2 constituencies.

Here's the district-wise voter tournout till 5 pm

Araria: 67.79%

Arwal: 63.06%

Aurangabad: 64.48%

Banka: 68.91%

Bhagalpur: 66.03%

Gaya: 67.50%

Jehanabad: 64.36%

Jamui: 67.81%

Kaimur (Bhabua): 67.22%

Katihar: 75.23%

Kishanganj: 76.26%

Madhubani: 61.79%

Nawada: 57.11%

Paschim Champaran: 69.02%

Purnia: 73.79%

Purvi Champaran: 69.31%

Rohtas: 60.69%

Sheohar: 67.31%

Sitamarhi: 65.29%

Supaul: 70.69 %

The BJP on Tuesday lodged a formal complaint against the RJD, accusing it of violating the election Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and other legal provisions through a social media post amidst the second phase of Bihar polls.

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said the polling in the second phase will be close to 65 per cent like the first phase and 80 of the 120 NDA candidates will win.  

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said he was confident that the Mahagathbandhan is going to win the Bihar Election 2025. 

RJD leader and INDIA bloc's chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday said that through the "record voting" in the first phase of Bihar elections, people have given a direct message that they want "result" and not "jumla". Claiming that the administration may slow down the pace of the polls at several places, he urged people not to step back from voting queues without exercising their franchise.

A 111-year-old woman, Nasima Khatun, casts her vote at Chhatapur Assembly Constituency during Phase 2 of Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections.

Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 60.40 per cent till 3 pm as polling continues in the second phase of the Assembly elections. According to the Election Commission, Kishanganj registered the highest turnout at 66.10 per cent, while Nawada reported the lowest polling at 53.17 per cent so far. Voting began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm across all Phase 2 constituencies.

Here's the district-wise voter tournout till 3 pm

Araria: 59.80%

Arwal: 58.26%

Aurangabad: 60.59%

Banka: 63.03%

Bhagalpur: 58.37%

Gaya: 62.74%

Jehanabad: 58.72%

Jamui: 63.33%

Kaimur (Bhabua): 62.26%

Katihar: 63.80%

Kishanganj: 66.10%

Madhubani: 53.17%

Nawada: 43.45%

Paschim Champaran: 61.99%

Purnia: 64.22%

Purvi Champaran: 61.92%

Rohtas: 55.92%

Sheohar: 61.85%

Sitamarhi: 58.32%

Supaul: 62.06 %

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said the polling in the second phase will be close to 65 per cent like the first phase and 80 of the 120 NDA candidates will win.  

A scuffle broke out between Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters at a polling booth in Araria on Tuesday, during voting for the second and final phase of the Bihar assembly election.

Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) chief and candidate from Mahua seat, Tej Pratap Yadav, expressed confidence in his victory from the Mahua constituency, which went to the polls in the first phase. Speaking to reporters in Patna, Yadav said, "Mahua hamare naam se jaana jaata hai aur kisi ke naam se nahi. I see myself number 1 in Mahua (winning the Mahua seat)." Janshakti Janata Dal chief Tej Pratap Yadav was in the fray from the Mahua assembly constituency. The Rashtriya Janata Dal fielded Prem Kumar from the seat. Tej Pratap had previously represented the seat in 2015 as an RJD candidate.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday demonstrated that he was neither tired nor in a mood to retire as he turned up at the JD(U)'s war room in Patna to take stock of the final phase of the assembly polls that were underway. The JD(U) president, who has been in the seat of power longer than any of his predecessors, reached the party office shortly after a meeting with Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan', one of his most trusted aides. The 75-year-old is understood to have been buoyed by reports that his party, which had suffered a setback in the 2020 assembly polls, was poised for a better-than-expected performance this time.

Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 47.62 per cent till 1 pm as polling continues in the second phase of the Assembly elections. According to the Election Commission, Kishanganj registered the highest turnout at 51.86 per cent, while Madhubani reported the lowest polling at 43.39 per cent so far. Voting began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm across all Phase 2 constituencies. 

Here's the district-wise voter tournout till 1 pm

• Araria: 46.87%
• Arwal: 47.11%     
• Aurangabad: 49.45%
• Banka: 50.07%
• Bhagalpur: 45.09%
• Gaya: 50.95%
• Jehanabad: 46.07%
• Jamui: 50.91%
• Kaimur (Bhabua): 49.89%
• Katihar: 48.50%
• Kishanganj: 51.86%
• Madhubani: 43.39%
• Nawada: 43.45%
• Paschim Champaran: 48.91%
• Purnia: 49.63%
• Purvi Champaran: 48.01%
• Rohtas: 45.19%
• Sheohar: 48.23%
• Sitamarhi: 45.28%
• Supaul: 48.22%

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashwini Kumar Choubey affirmed the National Democratic Alliance's victory in the Bihar assembly polls, predicting that it would win more than 180 seats. He mentioned that every citizen of the state has voted for a developed Bihar under the guidance of the NDA. Choubey also appealed to the voters to come out in numbers and participate in the voting process. "I want to appeal to all the people of Bihar that this is a great festival of democracy, celebrate this great festival with great joy. From the morning, people have been standing in queues... I feel that voting is happening in favour of the NDA... Everyone is voting in the name of development, in the name of making a developed Bihar, under the guidance of the NDA government, CM Nitish Kumar, and PM Modi... We are getting more than 180 seats, which will go up to 200," Ashwini Kumar Choubey told the media.

As voting for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections progresses, Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha expressed optimism over the voter turnout, saying that people are coming out in large numbers to vote for peace, good governance, and development in the state. Speaking to ANI, the JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha claimed that the NDA has gained votes by a "very large" margin in the first phase of polls. "Today is the election of the final phase. People are seeing how much enthusiasm there is among voters to cast their votes, which is the best thing. A large number of people are coming out for good governance, peace, and development in Bihar. This is a very positive sign. In the first phase, we feel that votes have been cast in our favour by a very large margin," Sanjay Jha said.

Bihar Congress president and party candidate from the Kutumba Assembly constituency, Rajesh Ram, arrived at a polling booth on Tuesday in an e-rickshaw to cast his vote. Accompanied by his family, Ram’s simple mode of arrival drew attention at the booth as voting continued for the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025.

Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 31.38 per cent till 11 am as polling continues in the second phase of the Assembly elections. According to the Election Commission, Kishanganj registered the highest turnout at 34.74 per cent, while Madhubani reported the lowest polling at 28.66 per cent so far. Voting began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm across all Phase 2 constituencies. 

Here's the district-wise voter tournout till 11 am

• Araria: 31.38%
• Arwal: 31.07%     
• Aurangabad: 32.88%
• Banka: 32.91%
• Bhagalpur: 29.08%
• Gaya: 34.07%
• Jehanabad: 30.36%
• Jamui: 33.69%
• Kaimur (Bhabua): 31.98%
• Katihar: 30.83%
• Kishanganj: 34.74%
• Madhubani: 28.66%
• Nawada: 29.02%
• Paschim Champaran: 32.39%
• Purnia: 32.94%
• Purvi Champaran: 31.16%
• Rohtas: 29.80%
• Sheohar: 31.58%
• Sitamarhi: 29.81%
• Supaul: 31.69%

During the second phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi appealed to voters to turn out in even greater numbers than in the November 6 phase and support the NDA. He said his appeal was "from the bottom of my heart" and noted that the Centre’s “double engine government” has delivered significantly for Bihar. Manjhi added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s "Purvodaya" vision includes Bihar and claimed that the state has received four times the allocation it was supposed to. He asserted that there is “no better government than this”.

As the polling for the second phase of the Bihar elections is underway, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stressed that the state needs a 'model' filled with economic development, social justice, and equality. He attacked the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance government, accusing it of running an enduring, opportunistic, corruption-ridden government that is against the poor and deprived. "Bihar needs a 'model' filled with economic development, social justice, and equality. For 20 years, Bihar has endured an opportunistic, corruption-ridden government that is against the poor and deprived; today, the time for change has arrived," Kharge wrote on X.

Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 14.55 per cent till 9 am as polling continues in the second phase of the Assembly elections. According to the Election Commission, Gaya registered the highest turnout at 15.97 per cent, while Madhubani reported the lowest polling at 13.25 per cent so far. Voting began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm across all Phase 2 constituencies. 

Here's the district-wise voter tournout till 9 am

• Araria: 15.34%
• Arwal: 14.95%     
• Aurangabad: 15.43%
• Banka: 15.14%
• Bhagalpur: 13.43%
• Gaya: 15.97%
• Jehanabad: 13.81%
• Jamui: 15.77%
• Kaimur (Bhabua): 15.08%
• Katihar: 13.77%
• Kishanganj: 15.81%
• Madhubani: 13.25%
• Nawada: 13.46%
• Paschim Champaran: 15.04%
• Purvi Champaran: 14.11%
• Rohtas: 14.16%
• Sheohar: 13.94%
• Sitamarhi: 13.49%
• Supaul: 14.85%

Clash breaks out between Jan Suraaj supporters and BJP workers in the Barbigha area of Warisaliganj constituency. Visuals show a vandalised car at the spot.

On the voting in the second phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari says, "The voting for the second phase is taking place today in Bihar. Just as the people of Bihar enthusiastically participated in the first phase of voting, the same enthusiasm is being seen among the people in the second phase as well. We salute those who have come out to vote for change in Bihar and to build Bihar's future... There is a wave of change in Bihar. In the second phase of voting as well, immense public support is going to be received by Tejashwi Yadav and the Mahagathbandhan..."

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor urged the people of Bihar to surpass the turnout recorded in the first phase and vote in even larger numbers today. He appealed to voters to support change in the state and to vote with a focus on their children’s education and employment. Kishor said that a high turnout in Phase 2 could help shape a new system in Bihar on November 14. He cautioned that missing this opportunity would mean remaining stuck with the same system and corruption for the next five years. Kishor also confirmed that he will be casting his vote today.

BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain and his wife Renu Hussain cast their vote at a polling booth in Supaul. "I have voted. I appeal to everyone to cast their vote. Humne jalpan nahi kiya, pehle matdan kiya. We will go home now and then have breakfast. Bihar is united on the issue of development. We are confident that development won't stop and it will go on swiftly. Public won't let the stream of development stop...One-sided voting is happening here. People are voting for development. Jungle Raj part 2 won't come," he told the media. 

Former Deputy CM and BJP candidate from Katihar, Tarkishore Prasad cast his vote in the second and final phase of the State Assembly elections. "Along with my family, I came here to cast my vote. I would like to appeal to all voters of Katihar constituency and entire Bihar that the manner in which Bihar has made rapid progress, the concept of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas - vote for a government that will give good governance," he added. 

Independent MP from Purnea Pappu Yadav cast his vote at a polling booth in Purnia. 

After casting his vote, Bihar Minister and BJP candidate from the Harsidhi constituency, Krishnanandan Paswan, said that he offered prayers before voting and that while EVMs can sometimes face technical issues, there was no major delay in his booth. Paswan claimed that voters in Harsidhi are blessing him and asserted confidence of winning with a margin of around 50,000 votes. He also said that the NDA will return to power in Bihar with a decisive majority.

A video from Motihari shows voters standing in queues outside a polling station as they wait for their turn to cast their vote in the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly elections. Citizens can be seen arriving early and patiently awaiting entry as polling gets underway.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar urged the people of the state to vote in the second phase of the assembly polls and exercise their democratic rights. In a post on X, the Chief Minister appealed to the people to prioritise voting above their chores. "In democracy, voting is not only our right but also our duty. Today, voting for the second phase of the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections is taking place -- all voters are urged to exercise their voting rights without fail. Vote and inspire others to do so as well. Vote first, then refreshments!" Chief Minister Kumar posted on X.

Jan Suraaj spokesperson Vivek Kumar said that voters in Bihar now have a genuine alternative in this election. He noted that the first phase saw heavy turnout and described the ongoing polling as a celebration of democracy. Kumar added that the voting percentage in the second phase is expected to surpass that of the first round.

BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal cast his vote at a polling booth in Bettiah. He along with his family also showed their inked finger after voting at the polling booth. 

Jyoti Singh, wife of Bhojpuri singer-actor Pawan Singh and an Independent candidate from the Karakat Assembly constituency, expressED regret for not being able to reach out to all areas during campaigning. She also requested the public to support her and give her an opportunity to serve them, claiming that the electorate has already made up its mind in her favour. "I am receiving tremendous support from the people," she said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that voting for the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly elections is taking place today. He urged all voters to participate enthusiastically and help set a new turnout record. He also made a special appeal to first-time voters, asking them not only to cast their own votes but also encourage others to do so.

As the voting began for the second phase, Bihar Minister Shravan Kumar appealed to the voters to vote after comparing the situation before and after 2005. "Voters should vote for the NDA to secure the future of their children," he added.

Voting for the second and final phase of  Bihar Elections 2025 has begun across 122 of the 243 Assembly seats in the state. Former Deputy CMs Renu Devi and Tarkishore Prasad, Congress leader Ajeet Sharma and other candidates in the fray.

A total of 45,399 polling stations have been set up for the second phase of voting in Bihar, of which 40,073 are located in rural areas. Several turncoat candidates are also in the fray this time. Among them is Mohania MLA Sangeeta Kumari, who had won on an RJD ticket in 2020 but is now contesting on a BJP ticket. Similarly, Nawada MLA Vibha Devi recently quit the RJD and joined the JD(U). Former Congress quota minister Murari Gautam, who switched to the NDA last year after Nitish Kumar realigned with the BJP, is contesting again from his old seat Chenari -- this time on a Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) ticket.

The second phase will decide the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's cabinet. Among them are JD(U) leaders Vijendra Yadav (contesting from Supaul assembly constituency), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas). Ministers from the BJP in the fray include Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi). Other key constituencies include Sasaram, Imamganj, Mohania, Bihpur, Gopalpur, Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, Sultanganj, and Nathnagar.

A mock poll was carried out at a polling booth in Purnia, as preparations entered the final stretch for the second and concluding phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. Voting for the last phase of polling will take place today, with electoral officials inspecting arrangements and ensuring all systems are functioning smoothly before voters arrive.

Bihar is set to witness the second and final phase of voting for the 2025 Legislative Assembly elections on November 11, following an intense and high-octane and will determine the representatives for the remaining seats. Among the significant seats going to the polls in this phase are Chakai, from where JD(U) minister Sumit Kumar Singh is seeking a re-election, BJP MLA Shreyasi Singh's Jamui, JD(U) minister Leshi Singh's Dhamdaha, and BJP minister Neeraj Kumar Singh's Chhatapur.

Here's a complete list of constituencies voting in the second phase.

Security arrangements have been tightened across Bihar for the second and final phase of the Assembly elections, with more than 4 lakh personnel deployed to ensure peaceful polling, officials said. Voting is being held at 45,399 polling stations, including 40,073 in rural areas, across 122 Assembly constituencies.