The first phase of voting in Bihar has set a new record with nearly 65% voter turnout, the highest in the state's history, creating a wave of enthusiasm across 121 seats in 18 districts. This remarkable turnout has energized political activities and sparked optimism among all parties. Historically, whenever voting in Bihar crossed the 60% mark, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led by leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav and later Tejashwi Yadav, has come to power.
The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) last month sparked controversy, with opposition parties alleging irregularities in voter lists. Despite these accusations, the voters demonstrated strong participation that promises to shape the election's outcome.
Voting for the remaining 122 seats will take place in the second phase, intensifying election campaigns. The first phase has already decided the fortunes of key political figures including the Grand Alliance’s CM candidate, Tejashwi Yadav.
Over the past 40 years, Bihar has experienced voter turnout exceeding 60% only three times, with those elections leading to governments formed by RJD or its predecessors. Notable elections with over 60% turnout occurred in 1990, 1995, and 2000, corresponding with RJD's rise to power under Lalu Prasad and later Rabri Devi. Conversely, turnout rates below this threshold often aligned with the decline of RJD’s dominance and the rise of rivals like Nitish Kumar’s leadership of the NDA.
Nitish Kumar’s tenure from 2005 onwards saw lower voter participation, never crossing 60%, with varying electoral outcomes. In the 2020 elections, voter turnout was around 57%, with the RJD emerging as the largest party but without forming the government.
If this historic trend of crossing 60% turnout continues in the 2025 elections, it could signal a return to power for RJD and fulfill Tejashwi Yadav’s ambitions of becoming Chief Minister, potentially ending Nitish Kumar’s long-standing rule. However, the final results await the completion of voting and counting in the upcoming phase.
