Bihar elections historic, 7.5 crore participated in SIR: Poll body chief

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Nov 12, 2025: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday hailed the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections as "historic", highlighting the unprecedented participation of over 7.5 crore voters in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, facilitated by grassroots election workers and around 1.76 lakh booth-level agents from all political parties.

"The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections were historic. First, over 7.5 crore voters participated in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters’ list. Participation of grassroots election workers and approximately 1.76 lakh booth-level agents from all political parties. Due to the tireless and transparent efforts of election workers, not a single appeal was received by any of Bihar’s 38 District Magistrates regarding the SIR..," he said.

Chief Election Commissioner also hailed the Bihar Assembly elections as a milestone in India’s democratic journey, noting that voters have achieved the highest turnout since 1951 at approximately 66.9% across both phases.

"... Today, voters have also made history in independent India. They cast the highest percentage of votes in all elections held since 1951, at approximately 66.9%. Women have expressed their complete faith in the Election Commission, resulting in the highest voter turnout ever, at 71%. These transparent and peaceful elections in Bihar have shown the whole of India a lesson. The Election Commission has always stood with its voters, stands with them, and will continue to do so...," he said.

As the voting concludes, according to the Election Commission of India, 68.52% approximate voter turnout was recorded in the second phase around 7 pm, with final estimates yet to be published.

According to pollsters, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to form the government again in Bihar, exit poll results showed on Tuesday, predicting that the opposition Mahagathbandhan would fall short of the majority mark in the 243-member state assembly.

The exit polls also predicted that Prashant Kishor-led Jan Suraaj, which made its debut in the assembly polls, is unlikely to make any splash in terms of seats. The exit polls came out after the conclusion of voting in Bihar. While the first phase of polls was held on November 6, the second phase of polling concluded on Tuesday.. The state has seen record polling in the assembly polls.

The second phase will decide the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s cabinet. Among them are JD(U) leaders Vijendra Yadav (contesting from Supaul assembly constituency), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas).

Ministers from the BJP in the fray include Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi).

Counting of votes will take place on November 14.

NDA to form govt? Key takeaways from exit poll predictions

The exit Polls on Tuesday predicted a return of the NDA government in Bihar with a big victory over the Mahagathbandhan, and a disappointing show by Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj in its debut outing.

The Bihar polls were conducted in two phases on November 6 and 11, and the results will be announced on November 14.

Here are the Key takeaways from the exit poll results from Bihar:

1. Most exit polls including Matrize, Dainik Bhaskar predicted NDA will likely get between 147-160 seats.

2. The Mahagathbandhan is predicted to get between 60-80 seats by most pollsters.

3. Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj in its debut outing is likely to come up with a disappointing show, with most pollsters predicting between 0-5 seats for them

4. The majority mark in the 243-member Assembly is 122.

5. While the NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U) and LJP (Ram Vilas) as the major alliance partners, is looking to return to power in Bihar, the opposition INDIA bloc, which has the RJD, the Congress and the Left parties as the main constituents, is looking to form the government with RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav its chief ministerial face.

A record voter turnout of 68.79 per cent was registered provisionally at close of polling in 122 seats in the second and final phase of assembly elections in Bihar on Tuesday, Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal said.

In the first phase of voting on November 6, 65.08 per cent of the electorate had exercised their franchise.