Bihar Elections 2025: First Phase Sees Record 65% Turnout, Women Lead the Way

Patna: Historic voting was recorded in the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections 2025 on 6 November. The Election Commission has issued final data and the total voting percentage stood at 65.08%, the highest in the history of the state. This is about 8% more than 57.29% in the first phase of 2020. More than 3 crore out of 3.75 crore voters cast their votes in the first phase.

By what percentage did women leave men behind?

This time women voters took the lead over men in the elections. 69.04% women cast their votes, while the percentage of men was 61.56%. That means women were ahead by about 8 percentage points. Women participation was higher in 17 out of 18 districts, with Patna being the only district where men took the lead. This trend has continued since 2010, when women's voting share began to steadily increase. Experts believe that government schemes, direct cash transfers and awareness campaigns have made women more active towards voting.

Which assembly seat recorded the highest number of votes?

Meenapur seat of Muzaffarpur district witnessed the highest turnout of 77.54%. Here women did wonders– their voting percentage reached 82.49%. After this, in Bochahan, men performed well with 73.78%. The top districts were Muzaffarpur (71.81%), Samastipur (71.74%) and Madhepura (69.5%), where women's participation set a record.

Where was the lowest turnout?

Patna's Kumhrar seat recorded the lowest voter turnout of 40.17%. Here the percentage of women was 39.19% and that of men was 41.10%. Voting is usually low in urban areas, but enthusiasm was at its peak in rural areas.

Is this record turnout a good or bad sign for the ruling party?

Claims are being made in both the alliances regarding high turnout. While NDA is calling it a seal of approval for its plans, the Grand Alliance is considering it as a wave of change. PM Modi and Amit Shah called it a proof of trust in their government, while Tejashwi Yadav called the bumper voting a sign of the victory of the Grand Alliance. Analysts say that the increasing role of women and the return of migrant voters to their homes created this record. The results on November 14 will show in whose favor this enthusiasm went.

Have women become 'deciding factors'?

In the first phase, 1.76 crore women voters participated enthusiastically. In the reports of BBC and Hindustan Times, experts called this proof of political awareness of women. Welfare schemes, SIR controversy and fear of name removal also drew voters to the booth. This trend may continue in the second phase also, where the role of women will be more decisive.