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Bihar Elections 2025: Voting for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections concluded on Thursday with a voter turnout of 60.30 per cent across 121 constituencies, according to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Polling was conducted across 18 districts, with Begusarai leading at 67.32 per cent, followed by Samastipur (66.88 per cent) and Madhepura (65.74 per cent). Within Begusarai, the Bachhwara Assembly seat recorded the highest turnout of 69.67 per cent, while Muzaffarpur logged around 65.23 per cent, the ECI said.

Despite the overall smooth conduct, isolated incidents of violence were reported, according to an IANS report. In Lakhisarai, the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate Vijay Kumar Sinha was allegedly attacked with stones and slippers, triggering clashes between BJP and RJD supporters. Security personnel intervened to restore order. Sinha accused RJD workers of "booth-capture mindset," alleging intimidation of BJP agents. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other opposition parties, on the other hand, raised charges of power cuts and bogus voting in several booths, particularly at what they called “strongholds of the Mahagathbandhan.”

Also Read:Bihar Polls: 53.77% voting recorded; Begusarai saw the highest turnout so far

Dismissing these claims, Bihar Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal said voting was "taking place smoothly at all polling stations," adding that the EC was ensuring a “fair, transparent, and uninterrupted process.”

In one such instance cited by the RJD — three voters in Muzaffarpur’s Sahibganj seat alleged their votes were already cast — the poll body later shared visuals of the same voters with inked fingers, confirming they had voted.

Women voters turned up in large numbers early in the morning, continuing Bihar’s trend of high female voter participation in recent elections.

Also Read: Bihar Assembly Polls 2025: A look at the 7 biggest seats in Phase 1 election

In this phase, 1,314 candidates are contesting across 121 constituencies. The main fight is between the ruling NDA, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), and the Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD. However, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party is expected to play a potential spoiler in several seats.

Prominent candidates include Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhury and Vijay Kumar Sinha, JD(U) state president Umesh Kushwaha, RJD’s Bhola Yadav, Bhojpuri actor Khesari Lal Yadav (RJD), and folk singer Maithili Thakur (BJP).

The contest in Mokama has also drawn attention after JD(U) candidate Anant Singh was arrested in connection with a recent murder case while campaigning. Polling officially ended at 5 pm, though those already in queue were allowed to cast their votes. Counting for all phases will be held after the final round of polling.

The state will vote for the remaining 122 seats on November 11, and the results will be declared on November 14.