Bihar recorded its highest ever voter turnout of 68.76% in the second and final phase of Assembly elections, surpassing all previous polling records since 1951. The first phase on November 6 had registered 65.08% turnout across 18 districts. Overall, the state achieved 66.92% participation, with female voters at 71.6% and male voters at 62.8%. This marked a significant increase from the 57.29% recorded in 2020. Exit polls released Tuesday evening unanimously predicted a comfortable victory for the ruling NDA coalition, led by BJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), projecting seats well above the majority mark of 122 in the 243-member House. The Opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD and Congress, was predicted to win around 100 or fewer seats. Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj was expected to secure a minimal number of seats in its debut. Vote counting is scheduled for November 14.
Record Turnout and Regional Variations in Phase Two
The second phase covered 122 constituencies across 20 districts in regions including Seemanchal, Champaran, and Magadh. Muslim-dominated Seemanchal led with 75.10% turnout, driven by Kishanganj (78.06%), Katihar (78.63%), Purnia (76.04%), and Araria (69.68%). Champaran registered 70.98%, while Ang region recorded 69.12%. Mithilanchal saw 67.36% participation. Magadh, a Mahagathbandhan stronghold, recorded the lowest average at 64.21%, followed by Shahabad at 65.15%. Officials attributed the increased turnout to deletion of over 68 lakh ineligible names during the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision exercise, improving voter list accuracy. Additionally, the maximum voters per booth were reduced from 1,500 to 1,200, reducing waiting times and crowding.
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