The Saran district in Bihar witnessed 60.90% voter turnout across its 10 assembly constituencies during the first phase of polling held on November 6, 2025. Out of a total of 29,10,309 registered voters, including 51,874 first-time voters, citizens exercised their franchise at 3,510 polling stations spread across the district. The elections saw significant political contests, with notable incidents reported during the voting process. In Chhapra assembly constituency, 150 voters discovered their names had been removed from the electoral rolls, sparking controversy. Additionally, sitting legislator Satyendra Yadav was allegedly attacked during the polling day. The district's 10 assembly seats recorded varying turnout percentages, with Baniayapur registering the highest number of polling centres at 377, while Parsa had the lowest at 327. Special arrangements were made at polling stations for disabled persons, pregnant women, and elderly voters to ensure smooth participation. Security forces were deployed across all centres to maintain peace and order. Among the constituencies, Chhapra emerged as the most watched seat due to the candidature of Bhojpuri film star Khesari Lal Yadav representing the RJD party. Other high-profile contests included Parsa, where RJD fielded Karishma Rai, the sister-in-law of former health minister Tej Pratap Yadav, and Amnour, where state IT minister Krishna Kumar Mantu's reputation was at stake. Long queues of voters, including women, youth, and senior citizens, were observed at polling centres from early morning, demonstrating strong democratic participation in the district.
Constituency-wise Voter Turnout and Polling Infrastructure
The 10 assembly constituencies in Saran district recorded diverse voting percentages. Ekma registered 51.85%, Manjhi 50.63%, Baniayapur 57.21%, Taraiya 50.75%, Madhaura 58.49%, Chhapra 50.88%, Garkha 55.20%, Amnour 58.04%, Parsa 58.03%, and Sonpur 56.21% turnout. A total of 3,510 polling stations were established across the district, with Baniayapur having the maximum 377 centres and Parsa the minimum 327. The administration made special arrangements at all centres for disabled voters, pregnant women, and elderly citizens to facilitate their participation. Security forces were deployed strategically to ensure peaceful and fair polling. The district's electoral roll included 29,10,309 voters, among whom 51,874 young voters cast their ballots for the first time. The administration had launched awareness campaigns to encourage higher voter participation and ensure citizens understood their democratic rights and responsibilities.
Chhapra Becomes Most Watched Seat with Star Candidate
Chhapra assembly constituency emerged as the most closely watched seat in Saran district due to the candidature of popular Bhojpuri film star Khesari Lal Yadav, who contested on an RJD ticket. This high-profile entry transformed the electoral contest into an extremely interesting battle, attracting attention from across the state. The presence of a film celebrity in the political arena generated significant public interest and media coverage. However, controversy erupted when 150 voters in the Chhapra constituency discovered their names had been deleted from the electoral rolls on polling day. This incident raised questions about the integrity of the voter list verification process. Additionally, sitting MLA Satyendra Yadav was reportedly attacked during the polling, adding to the tensions. Despite these disruptions, the constituency recorded 50.88% voter turnout. The combination of celebrity politics, electoral irregularities, and violence made Chhapra the focal point of discussions about the first phase of Bihar elections, with political parties and election observers closely monitoring developments throughout the day.
High-Stakes Political Battles Across Multiple Seats
Several constituencies in Saran witnessed intense political contests with high stakes for prominent leaders. In Parsa assembly seat, the RJD made a strategic move by fielding Karishma Rai, the sister-in-law of former health minister Tej Pratap Yadav, dramatically altering the political equations in the area. This family connection brought significant attention to the constituency. Similarly, Amnour became a prestige battle for state IT Minister Krishna Kumar Mantu, whose political reputation was on the line. In Manjhi constituency, Randhir Singh, son of former strongman MP Prabhunath Singh, entered the fray as the JDU candidate, bringing the legacy factor into play. These high-profile candidatures transformed ordinary assembly seats into closely watched political battlegrounds. The contests reflected the broader alliance dynamics, with BJP, JDU, RJD, and Jan Suraaj parties fielding their strongest candidates. The outcomes in these seats were expected to significantly impact the overall political landscape of Bihar and influence future alliances and power equations in the state.
Strong Voter Enthusiasm Despite Controversies
Despite controversies surrounding deleted voter names and alleged attacks on political leaders, polling stations across Saran district witnessed strong voter enthusiasm from early morning. Long queues formed at various centres as citizens, including women, youth, and elderly voters, arrived to exercise their democratic rights. The participation of 51,874 first-time voters added a fresh dimension to the electoral process, as young citizens engaged with democracy for the first time. Polling officials ensured smooth operations at the 3,510 centres, managing crowd flow and addressing voter queries. The administration's claim of conducting fair, peaceful, and transparent elections was tested throughout the day as officials handled various challenges. Special provisions for disabled, pregnant, and elderly voters demonstrated inclusive election management. Security personnel maintained vigilance to prevent any untoward incidents. The overall atmosphere remained largely peaceful despite isolated incidents. The diverse turnout percentages across constituencies, ranging from approximately 51% to 58%, reflected varying levels of political engagement and local factors influencing voter participation in different areas of the district.
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