Bihar witnessed record-breaking voter participation in the first phase of the Assembly elections, with 64.66% turnout, over 8% higher than the 2020 polls. Analysts see this as a historic shift in the state’s electoral landscape. But the real story behind these figures goes deeper than the Election Commission’s data suggests. Compared to 2020, nearly 35 lakh more people voted this time, even though the total number of registered voters rose by only about 4 lakh. This sharp rise raises questions, what drove this unprecedented turnout, and could it signal a major political shift in Bihar?
The Numbers Behind The Surge
In the first phase, 3.75 crore voters were eligible to cast their ballots across 121 constituencies in 18 districts. Of these, 64.66% voted, roughly 2.42 crore 47 thousand 500 people, while about 1.32 crore 52 thousand 500 did not vote.
In comparison, during the 2020 Assembly polls, these same 121 seats had 3.71 crore 55 thousand 778 voters, with a 55.81% turnout. That means only 2.07 crore 36 thousand 639 people had voted, while 1.64 crore 19 thousand 139 abstained.
In simple terms, over 35 lakh more people voted in 2025 than in 2020, a significant jump that signals rising voter engagement in Bihar.
Why Did Voting Spike This Year?
Festival Timing Boosted Turnout
The election came right after Diwali and Chhath, when lakhs of migrant workers were home. Many voted before returning to work, a key reason behind the record participation.
Improved Festival Connectivity
The Centre ran 12,000 special trains during the festive season, ensuring more people reached their hometowns, and polling booths.
Post-Pandemic Confidence
Unlike 2020, when fear of COVID-19 kept many indoors, this time voters turned out in large numbers, from first-timers to the elderly.
Shorter Election Cycle Maintained Interest
With just two phases and a tighter schedule, the campaign remained intense and engaging, keeping voter enthusiasm high.
Cleaner, More Active Voter Rolls
The SIR process removed inactive or fake entries, ensuring a higher ratio of genuine, participating voters.
What Comes Next
The true impact of this “historic” turnout will be revealed on 14 November. But one thing is clear , Bihar’s record voting may produce a result that stuns Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, and Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor alike.