Voting for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 took place in Saharsa district, covering four assembly constituencies. The polling process began at 7 AM and continued until 6 PM, though at 105 polling centres in Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Mahishi constituencies, voting concluded at 5 PM. By 3 PM, the district recorded an overall voter turnout of 55.22%. A total of 12.96 lakh voters were eligible to decide the fate of 45 candidates contesting across these four seats. The constituencies included Saharsa, Simri Bakhtiyarpur, Sonvarsa (reserved), and Mahishi. Sonvarsa seat witnessed the candidacy of sitting minister Ratnesh Sada from the ruling alliance. The election featured a direct contest between the ruling NDA coalition and the opposition grand alliance (Mahagathbandhan). The district administration deployed 6,932 polling personnel across 1,566 polling stations to conduct smooth and fair elections. Special arrangements were made for elderly voters above 85 years, differently-abled citizens, and voters in flood-prone areas inside the Kosi embankment. Seat-wise turnout showed Saharsa leading with 60.04%, followed by Mahishi at 54.67%, Simri Bakhtiyarpur at 54.05%, and Sonvarsa at 51.15%. Authorities ensured tight security with over 20,000 paramilitary and police forces deployed. The administration arranged webcasting at every booth to ensure transparency. Special measures included GPS-enabled boats, tractors, and SDRF teams for embankment areas. Model polling stations, youth booths, pink booths for women, and booths for differently-abled voters were set up across the district to encourage participation from all sections of society.
Voter Demographics and Polling Infrastructure
Saharsa district registered a total electorate of 12,96,074 voters, comprising 6,79,117 men, 6,16,875 women, and 22 third-gender individuals. Additionally, 110 differently-abled voters aged above 85 years exercised their franchise through special facilities. The district set up 1,566 polling centres across all four constituencies, with dedicated 6,932 polling staff managing the entire process. Each constituency featured specialized booths: one model polling centre, one youth booth, one booth for differently-abled voters, and three women (pink) booths. Overall, the district established 12 model centres, 11 youth centres, 15 women centres, and 4 differently-abled booths. Every polling station was equipped with essential amenities including drinking water, shade, toilet facilities, and accessibility features for differently-abled persons. Webcasting arrangements were implemented at all booths to maintain transparency and monitor proceedings in real time. The administration appealed to citizens to vote fearlessly and participate actively in this democratic festival. Officials emphasized that comprehensive arrangements had been made to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and fair electoral process throughout the district.
Alliance Candidates and Electoral Contest
The NDA coalition fielded candidates from three parties across Saharsa's four constituencies. BJP's sitting legislator Aalok Ranjan contested from Saharsa seat, while JDU nominated candidates for Mahishi and Sonvarsa constituencies. LJP (Ramvilas) fielded Sanjay Kumar Singh from Simri Bakhtiyarpur. The opposition Mahagathbandhan distributed seats among three parties. The Indian Inclusive Party's national president Indrajit Prasad Gupta represented the alliance from Saharsa constituency. RJD candidates fought elections in Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Mahishi seats. Congress fielded Sarita Paswan from the reserved Sonvarsa constituency, making her the only woman candidate among the 45 contestants in Saharsa district. The electoral battle shaped up as direct contests in all four seats. In Saharsa, BJP's Aalok Ranjan faced Indian Inclusive Party's Indrajit Prasad Gupta. Mahishi witnessed a fight between JDU's Gunjeshwar Sah and RJD's Gautam Krishna. Simri Bakhtiyarpur saw LJP's Sanjay Kumar Singh competing against RJD's Yusuf Salauddin. The most watched contest emerged in Sonvarsa, where incumbent minister Ratnesh Sada of JDU challenged Congress candidate Sarita Paswan. These face-offs represented the broader political competition between the ruling NDA and opposition grand alliance in Bihar.
Special Arrangements for Kosi Embankment Areas
A total of 105 polling centres in Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Mahishi constituencies fall within the Kosi embankment region, requiring special logistical arrangements. The district administration organized GPS-equipped boats and tractors to facilitate movement of polling personnel in these flood-prone areas. Officials established 15 cluster points equipped with generators and adequate lighting systems to support operations. For night-time security, boats were fitted with radium light strips for better visibility. The administration deployed eight SDRF teams specifically for these embankment areas to handle any emergency situations. Additionally, mounted police units on horses conducted regular patrols throughout these regions to maintain law and order. Polling staff received special training for working in difficult terrain. The embankment area posed unique challenges due to its geography and accessibility issues. Authorities coordinated closely with local communities to ensure smooth conduct of elections. Transportation schedules were carefully planned to move personnel and materials efficiently. Communication systems were strengthened with backup arrangements. These comprehensive measures ensured that voters in remote and challenging locations could exercise their democratic rights without hindrance, maintaining the integrity of the electoral process in these sensitive zones.
Constituency-Wise Voter Turnout Progress
By 3 PM, Saharsa district witnessed varying levels of voter participation across its four assembly constituencies. Saharsa constituency recorded the highest turnout at 60.04%, indicating strong voter enthusiasm in the urban centre. Mahishi constituency registered 54.67% polling, showing steady participation despite its location within the Kosi embankment area. Simri Bakhtiyarpur saw 54.05% voters casting their ballots, maintaining a consistent pace throughout the day. Sonvarsa constituency, despite having a sitting minister in the fray, showed relatively lower turnout at 51.15% by mid-afternoon. The district's overall average stood at 55.22%, suggesting healthy democratic participation. Polling officials expected the numbers to rise significantly in the remaining three hours of voting. Weather conditions remained favourable throughout the day, encouraging voters to reach polling stations. Women voters showed particularly strong participation, with dedicated pink booths witnessing good footfall. Youth voters also turned out in encouraging numbers at specially designated youth centres. First-time voters displayed enthusiasm in exercising their franchise. Elderly citizens above 85 years and differently-abled voters received special assistance at designated booths. The smooth conduct of elections without major incidents contributed to steady voter turnout across all constituencies.
Comprehensive Security and Monitoring Measures
Saharsa district implemented extensive security arrangements to ensure peaceful and transparent elections. More than 20,000 paramilitary forces and police personnel were deployed across polling stations and surrounding areas. Security forces included Quick Response Teams (QRT), super zonal units, and mobile patrolling parties conducting continuous surveillance throughout the district. Every polling centre received adequate security coverage with multiple layers of protection. Authorities established control rooms at strategic locations to monitor real-time developments. Webcasting systems at all 1,566 polling stations enabled officials to observe proceedings remotely and respond promptly to any irregularities. Senior officials conducted surprise visits to polling centres to verify arrangements and address issues. District magistrates and police superintendents coordinated closely to maintain law and order. Special focus remained on sensitive and hypersensitive polling centres identified during pre-election surveys. Mobile teams patrolled regularly between polling stations to deter any malpractice. Flying squads and static surveillance teams kept watch on suspicious activities. Communication channels remained open for immediate reporting of incidents. The administration activated grievance redressal mechanisms to address voter complaints quickly. Observers appointed by the Election Commission monitored the process independently. These multi-tiered security and monitoring arrangements ensured that voting proceeded smoothly, maintaining the sanctity and credibility of the democratic exercise across Saharsa district.
Source: Link