Bihar Elections: Record 64.69% Voting in First Phase, Whenever Voting Increased by More Than 5%, Government Changed – This Time an 8% Jump

Voting took place across 121 seats in 18 districts, with a staggering 64.69% voter turnout – the highest ever recorded in the state’s history. This massive participation has sent shockwaves through Bihar’s political landscape.

Record-Breaking Turnout: 8.5% Higher Than 2020

According to Election Commission data:This time: 64.69%

In 2020 (on the same seats): ~56%

Increase: Approximately 8.5 percentage points
 

This is unprecedented in Bihar’s electoral history.

In 2020, the first phase covered only 71 seats with 56.1% turnout. This year, despite 121 seats being contested – nearly double the number – the percentage soared even higher, proving that public enthusiasm has multiplied manifold.

District-Wise Voting Percentage

Highest turnout:  Muzaffarpur: 70.96% 

Samastipur: 70.63%

Lowest turnout:  Patna: 57.93%

Other major districts:  Vaishali: 67.37% 

Madhepura: 67.21% 

Saharsa: 66.84% 

Khagaria: 66.36% 

Lakhisarai: 65.05% 

Munger: 60.40% 

Siwan: 60.31% 

Nalanda: 58.91%

Overall first-phase average:

64.69% – breaking records of both previous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

Bihar’s Historical Voting Pattern

From 1951-52 to 2020, Bihar crossed the 60% mark only three times in Assembly elections:  1990: 62.04% 

1995: 61.79% 

2020: 62.57%

This year’s 64.69% has demolished all past records.

Historical trend:

Whenever voter turnout increased by more than 5%, the incumbent government was voted out.

Examples:  1967: +7% increase → Congress lost, non-Congress parties came to power 

1980: +6.8% increase → Janata Party lost, Congress returned 

1990: +5.8% increase → Congress defeated, Janata Dal formed government

In short, Bihar’s history shows:

sharp rise in voting = change in power.Political Parties on EdgeThis phase saw 1,314 candidates contesting 121 seats. In 2020 (on overlapping seats):  Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance): 61 seats 

NDA: 59 seats 

Others: 1 seat

RJD had won 42, BJP 32 seats in these areas.This time equations have changed dramatically:  Chirag Paswan and Upendra Kushwaha are back with NDA 

Mukesh Sahani’s VIP party has joined Mahagathbandhan

The contest has become fiercer than ever.

Seat sharing this phase:  Mahagathbandhan: RJD (72 seats), Congress (24), CPI-ML (14), VIP & CPI (6 each), CPM (3) 

NDA: JDU (57 seats), BJP (48 seats)

Will First Phase Decide the Fate of Power?

The voting on these 121 seats will not only determine the first-phase results but also set the tone for the remaining phases. In 2020, many seats saw close fights – this time, with record turnout, predicting outcomes has become nearly impossible.

If history repeats itself, this massive jump in voter turnout could well signal a change of guard in Bihar.  The political temperature is at boiling point. The message from the people is loud and clear: Bihar wants change – and it’s showing it at the ballot box.