Bihar Creates History With Highest Voting, Women Lead Turnout As Election Commission Releases Final Figures

The Election Commission announced that Bihar’s 2025 Assembly Election recorded a 66.91% turnout, the highest since elections first began in the state. This time, the participation of women was remarkably higher than men. While male voter turnout stood at 62.8%, women turnout reached 71.6%, showing how strongly women came forward to vote. Officials said this is a sign of rising awareness and ownership of democratic rights among women.

The Commission called this election one of the most peaceful and transparent in recent years. The report also highlighted that turnout numbers were consistent across rural and urban regions.

How Was Voting Split Across Phases?

The election happened in two phases. In Phase One, voter turnout was 65.08%, whereas Phase Two recorded 68.76%, pushing the overall turnout to 66.91%. There were more than 7.45 crore registered voters across the state. Out of these, 3.93 crore were male, 3.51 crore female, and a smaller section were service voters.

The Commission mentioned that final postal ballot counting numbers will be included later, but provisional trends already clearly show strong female participation. Phase Two, which had 45,399 polling stations, saw higher engagement likely due to improved voter outreach efforts.

How Many Polling Staff and Observers Were Involved?

To manage voting across Bihar, more than 8.5 lakh polling-related staff were deployed. These included over 1.4 lakh polling agents, 2,616 candidates, 243 general observers, 38 police observers, and 67 expenditure observers. These officers played crucial roles in ensuring smooth polling operations.

They monitored booth conditions, kept an eye on voter queues, ensured machines functioned properly, and maintained transparency standards. Their coordination ensured that the election process remained peaceful without any major law-and-order issues.

What Was New in Monitoring and Supervision?

For the first time, the Election Commission used live webcasting extensively to watch polling activity in real-time. This facility was activated in tens of thousands of polling stations across both phases. A dedicated Control Center operated round-the-clock to handle complaints, resolve technical problems, and maintain communication with on-ground staff.

This technological oversight ensured that any irregularity could be immediately detected and addressed. It also increased confidence among voters that every vote was being conducted under close supervision.

Were International Delegates Also Watching?

Yes, for the first time, delegates from 6 different countries-including South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Belgium, and Colombia-visited Bihar during the elections. They were part of the International Election Visitors' Programme, where global observers come to see how large-scale democratic elections function in India.

The delegates praised Bihar’s smooth arrangements, high voter turnout, and active public participation. They said that the state has created an example of inspiring voter engagement.

How Did Booth-Level Volunteers Contribute?

An important role was played by Jeevika Didis, booth volunteers, and ground coordinators who encouraged rural women to vote. Their active awareness drives helped ensure that women voters reached polling stations safely and confidently. These volunteers guided elderly voters, assisted differently-abled citizens, and helped reduce confusion among first-time voters. Their presence strengthened community trust in the election process.

What Does This Turnout Mean Politically?

A higher turnout-especially among women-is likely to influence the final result significantly. Women voters in Bihar have played decisive roles in past elections too. Analysts believe political parties will now re-evaluate their strategies, welfare schemes, and campaign messages with greater focus on women’s needs and priorities. The Election Commission stated that Bihar has once again shown how strong and vibrant its democratic spirit is.