Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, Phase 1 Polling: The highest turnout of 73.29 per cent was recorded in Minapur assembly constituency. On the other hand, the lowest turnout of 39.52 per cent was recorded on Kumhrar seat.

The polling for the phase 1 of elections to the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly concluded on Thursday and a provisional turnout of 64.66 per cent was recorded, said the Election Commission of India (ECI). The final numbers, however, will be released later by the top poll body. 

Polling was held on 121 assembly constituencies across 18 districts on Thursday to decide the fate of more than 1,000 candidates, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, and several ministers.

"The current voter turnout is 64.46%. We will release the final press note in an hour after everything is updated. The participation of women voters was very good," Bihar Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Gunjyal said at a press conference. 

"During the voting, 165 ballot units, 169 control units, and 480 VVPATs were replaced. The final data will be available in the press release. And this time, we had to replace only 1.21 per cent of the ballot units in the first phase, while in the 2020 Assembly elections, only 1.87 per cent of the EVMs were replaced," he added.

Minapur seat records highest turnout

According to the Voter Turnout app of the ECI, the highest turnout of 73.29 per cent was recorded in Minapur assembly constituency. On the other hand, the lowest turnout of 39.52 per cent was recorded on Kumhrar seat.

 The highest turnout district-wise was recorded in Bengusarai where it was 67.32 per cent. Meanwhile, the lowest turnout was 52.36 per cent among districts, which was recorded in Sheikhpura, according to the Voter Turnout app. 

Bihar poised to achieve highest turnout

Bihar, where the second phase of assembly polls will be held on November 11, is poised to achieve its highest ever turnout, said ECI sources. During the February 2000 assembly elections, the state had recorded a voter turnout of 62.57 per cent, which remains the highest turnout till now.

Vijay Sinha's convoy attacked

As the polling for the Bihar election was held on Thursday, Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha's convoy was attacked in his assembly constituency Lakhisarai. The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term from Lakhisarai, blamed the RJD for the attack, urging the top poll body to take action against those responsible for the incident. 

The officials, including the ECI, have now sought a report. Meanwhile, the RJD has denied the allegations and said the attack was orchestrated by Sinha himself as he is losing the elections.  

Second phase polling and results

Meanwhile, the second phase of polling in Bihar will be held on November 11. The counting of votes will take place on November 14.