On November 6, 2025, voting for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 began in Saharsa district at 7 AM and continued until 6 PM. Four assembly constituencies in the district participated in this phase: Saharsa, Simri Bakhtiyarpur, Sonbarsa (reserved), and Mahishi. By 1 PM, the district recorded a 44.20% voter turnout. However, voting at 105 polling stations in Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Mahishi constituencies concluded earlier at 5 PM due to their location within the Kosi embankment area. The electoral contest involves 45 candidates vying for the four seats, with the fate of their political careers resting in the hands of 12.96 lakh registered voters. The district administration set up 1,566 polling stations across all four constituencies, staffed by 6,932 polling personnel. Seat-wise turnout by 1 PM showed variation: Saharsa led with 47.84%, followed by Simri Bakhtiyarpur at 45.12%, Mahishi at 42.13%, and Sonbarsa at 40.67%. This election features direct contests between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) across all four seats. The ruling NDA coalition distributed seats among the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas), while the opposition alliance fielded candidates from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Congress, and Indian Inclusive Party. Notable candidates include current minister Ratnesh Sada contesting from the reserved Sonbarsa seat and Congress candidate Sarita Paswan, the district's only female candidate in this election. Security arrangements involved deployment of over 20,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces and state police, ensuring peaceful polling across the constituency.
Voter Turnout and Polling Station Details
The Saharsa district registered 12,96,074 voters for the first phase of assembly elections, comprising 6,79,117 male voters, 6,16,875 female voters, and 22 third-gender voters. Additionally, 110 differently-abled voters aged above 85 years exercised their franchise. The district administration established 1,566 polling stations across the four assembly constituencies and deployed 6,932 polling personnel to conduct the electoral process. By afternoon, voting patterns varied across constituencies. Saharsa assembly seat recorded the highest turnout at 47.84%, followed by Simri Bakhtiyarpur at 45.12%. Mahishi constituency witnessed 42.13% polling, while Sonbarsa recorded the lowest at 40.67% by 1 PM. Special arrangements included one model polling station, one youth polling station, one booth for differently-abled voters, and three women (pink) booths in each constituency. District-wide, this translated to 12 model centers, 11 youth centers, 15 women centers, and 4 differently-abled booths. Every polling station featured webcasting facilities to ensure transparency and monitor the voting process in real-time throughout the day.
Electoral Contest Between NDA and Grand Alliance
The electoral battle in Saharsa presents direct contests between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) across all four seats. The NDA distributed seats among its coalition partners strategically. The Bharatiya Janata Party fielded sitting legislator Alok Ranjan from Saharsa constituency. Janata Dal (United) candidates contested from Mahishi and Sonbarsa seats, with Gunjeshwar Sah running from Mahishi and current minister Ratnesh Sada seeking re-election from the reserved Sonbarsa seat. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) nominated Sanjay Kumar Singh for Simri Bakhtiyarpur. On the opposition side, the Mahagathbandhan fielded candidates from three parties. Rashtriya Janata Dal candidates competed in Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Mahishi, with Yusuf Salauddin challenging from Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Gautam Krishna from Mahishi. The Congress nominated Sarita Paswan from Sonbarsa, making her the district's only female candidate in this election. The Indian Inclusive Party, led by its national president Indrajeet Prasad Gupta, contested from Saharsa seat, completing the Mahagathbandhan's candidate slate for all four constituencies in the district.
Special Arrangements for Kosi Embankment Areas
The district administration implemented special measures for 105 polling stations located within the Kosi embankment area in Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Mahishi constituencies, where voting concluded at 5 PM instead of 6 PM. These remote areas required unique logistical solutions for transporting polling personnel and materials. The administration arranged GPS-equipped boats and tractors to facilitate movement in these flood-prone zones. Officials established 15 cluster points equipped with generators and adequate lighting facilities to support evening operations. For nighttime security, boats received special radium light strips to enhance visibility during dark hours. The administration deployed eight State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams specifically for these embankment areas to handle any emergency situations. Additionally, mounted police patrols on horseback conducted surveillance throughout these constituencies. These comprehensive arrangements ensured that voters in remote embankment villages could exercise their democratic rights safely despite geographical challenges. The administration also provided drinking water, shade, toilet facilities, and special amenities for differently-abled voters at all polling stations, including those in difficult terrain areas.
Security Deployment and Monitoring Measures
Saharsa district witnessed deployment of over 20,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces and state police, to ensure peaceful and transparent elections. Security forces maintained tight vigil at all 1,566 polling stations throughout voting hours. The administration constituted multiple security layers, including Quick Response Teams (QRT), super zonal units, and regular patrolling parties that continuously monitored the constituencies. Each polling station received webcasting equipment to enable real-time monitoring of the voting process, ensuring complete transparency and preventing any irregularities. Officers stationed at control rooms watched live feeds from all booths simultaneously. The district administration issued appeals to voters, encouraging them to cast their votes fearlessly, assuring complete safety and security at all polling locations. Officials emphasized that the massive security presence aimed to facilitate free and fair elections rather than intimidate voters. Polling personnel received strict instructions to maintain neutrality and assist voters without bias. Special security arrangements covered sensitive areas and constituencies where past elections witnessed disturbances. The comprehensive security framework included coordination between multiple agencies, creating a seamless protective environment that allowed citizens to participate in the democratic process without fear or hindrance.
Facilities and Administrative Preparations
The district administration made extensive arrangements to ensure voter convenience and accessibility during the election. Every polling station provided basic amenities including drinking water, shade structures, toilet facilities, and special accessibility features for differently-abled voters. The administration created specialized voting centers catering to different demographic groups across the district. These included 12 model polling centers demonstrating best electoral practices, 11 youth-focused polling centers designed to encourage young voter participation, 15 women-exclusive (pink) booths staffed entirely by female personnel, and 4 booths specially equipped for differently-abled voters with ramps and accessible voting machines. Voters aged above 85 years and those with disabilities received priority assistance at all stations. The 6,932 polling personnel deployed across the district underwent comprehensive training in handling various situations and assisting voters with special needs. District officials coordinated with multiple government departments to ensure seamless operations throughout voting day. The administration arranged transportation facilities for elderly and disabled voters who faced difficulty reaching polling stations. Medical teams remained on standby at cluster points to address any health emergencies. These meticulous preparations reflected the administration's commitment to conducting inclusive, accessible, and voter-friendly elections across all four assembly constituencies in Saharsa district.
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