Bihar on Tuesday witnessed a record-breaking turnout of nearly 69 per cent in the second and final phase of polling, wrapping up a nearly month-long exercise that saw the ruling NDA defend its "sushasan" pitch against the opposition's onslaught, promising "change".
The results, which will be declared on November 14, will decide whether Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president and the longest serving Chief Minister, secures yet another tenure or his former deputy Tejashwi Yadav, who has likened the 20-year-old regime to a "rickety old car" (khataara), takes the wheel.
Briefing reporters, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vinod Singh Gunjiyal said the state recorded 68.79 per cent voter turnout, provisionally, in the second and final phase of the assembly polls.
In both phases, the state registered a voter turnout of 66.9 per cent, provisionally, which is 9.6 percentage points more than the last assembly polls, the CEO added.
In the 2020 assembly polls, the state recorded a voter turnout of 57.29 per cent.
Polling began at a brisk pace, with figures made available by the Election Commission constantly surpassing the same for the corresponding period on November 6, when 121 seats had witnessed, in the first phase, the "highest ever turnout" of 65.09 per cent by the end of the day.
While Yadav and his allies in the INDIA bloc claim that the high turnout was indicative of a very strong "anti-incumbency" sentiment, NDA leaders like Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the BJP's in charge for the Bihar elections, have been quick to counter that heavy polling does not necessarily spell change, citing past instances of incumbents retaining power.
All the districts that have witnessed the highest poll percentage, well in excess of 70 per cent, in the first as well as second phases, are situated north of the Ganges, an area which is densely populated and where the NDA has traditionally performed well.
However, the top three districts, Kishanganj, Katihar and Purnea, have a high concentration of Muslims and, unsurprisingly, had all voted for the INDIA bloc in the last polls.
Amid the tug of war between the NDA and the opposition bloc, INDIA, Prashant Kishor, the former political strategist, hopes that his one-year-old Jan Suraaj Party will make an impact, with its promise of an "alternative" that promises education and jobs and an end to "distress migration". With PTI
Top leaders cast vote in second phase of Bihar polls
November 11, 2025 1:41 pm
From JD(U)’s acting president Sanjay Jha and Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi to Purnea MP Pappu Yadav and state Congress chief Rajesh Ram—leaders from both sides of the political divide cast their votes during the second phase of the Bihar elections on Tuesday. State Industries Minister Nitish Mishra, BJP’s Jamui candidate Shreyashi Singh and Independent nominee Jyoti Singh, who is the wife of Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh, also cast their votes. BJP leader Shahnwaz Hussain and Congress MLA Ajeet Sharma, too, voted in their respective booths.
47.6 per cent polling till 1 pm
November 11, 2025 1:38 pm
Brisk polling was underway on Tuesday across 122 Assembly constituencies of Bihar, where 47.62 per cent of 3.7 crore voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm in the second and final phase. Kishanganj district recorded the highest polling percentage so far at 51.86, followed by Gayaji (50.95), and Jamui (50.91). Madhubani recorded the lowest polling percentage at 43.39, followed by Nawada (43.45) and Bhagalpur (45.09).
31.38 per cent polling till 11 am
November 11, 2025 11:59 am
Kishanganj district has recorded the highest polling percentage so far at 34.74, followed by Gayaji (34.07), and Jamui (33.69).
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Clash between supporters of different political parties near booth in Bihar's Nawada
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Speaking to PTI, Nawada SP Abhinav Dhiman said, "A minor clash took place between supporters of different political parties around 1.5 km away from the polling booth. Officials concerned and security personnel are at the spot and they are looking into the matter. The situation in the area is completely under control and voting is underway smoothly." He said that rumours that a government vehicle engaged in poll duty has been damaged are completely baseless and claimed that the damaged vehicle is a private one and has nothing to do with poll duty.
14.55 per cent turnout till 9 am
November 11, 2025 10:50 am
A total of 14.55 per cent of the 3.7 crore voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of voting in the second phase of Assembly elections in Bihar on Tuesday, an official said. Gayaji district recorded the highest polling percentage so far at 15.97, followed by Kishanganj (15.81) and Jamui (15.77). Bhagalpur district recorded the lowest turnout of 13.43 per cent till 9 am.
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Polling begins
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The second phase of the Assembly election in Bihar began on Tuesday morning.
