Voting for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections concluded on November 5, covering 121 seats across 18 districts. The state recorded an overall voter turnout of 60.13 percent by 5 PM. Among these, nine constituencies featuring candidates with criminal backgrounds witnessed a turnout of 50.8 percent. The highest polling among these contentious seats was recorded in Kuchchaikot, Gopalganj, with 65.57 percent, where strongman Amarendra Pandey of JDU is contesting. The lowest turnout was in Brahmapur at 50.76 percent, the constituency of Hulas Pandey. Mokama, the stronghold of JDU's Anant Singh, recorded 62.16 percent voting. This seat features a direct contest between Singh and RJD candidate Veena Devi, wife of Surajbhan Singh. Danapur saw 55.27 percent turnout, where RJD's Ritlal Yadav is contesting from behind bars in Bhagalpur jail, facing charges of demanding ransom worth 50 lakh rupees. Raghunathpur in Siwan recorded 51.18 percent polling, with Osama Shahab, son of notorious strongman Shahabuddin, in the fray for RJD. Lalganj witnessed 59 percent voting, where Shivani Shukla, daughter of the late Munna Shukla, is a candidate. Other notable constituencies include Brahmapur, where Hulas Pandey, brother of strongman Sunil Pandey, is contesting on an LJP-R ticket. Manjhi features Randhir Singh of JDU, son of jailed former MP Prabhunath Singh. Candidates and their families performed traditional rituals before voting, with Surajbhan Singh appealing for communal harmony and peaceful voting. The results of this phase will determine the political future of several controversial figures and their families in Bihar politics.
Overall Voter Turnout in Phase One
The first phase of Bihar Assembly elections concluded with voting across 121 constituencies spread over 18 districts on November 5. By 5 PM, the state recorded an overall turnout of 60.13 percent. Among the nine seats contested by candidates with criminal backgrounds, the polling percentage stood at 50.8 percent. Kuchchaikot in Gopalganj registered the highest turnout at 65.57 percent, where JDU's Amarendra Pandey is competing. Brahmapur recorded the lowest at 50.76 percent, the constituency of Hulas Pandey. The voting process remained largely peaceful, with candidates and their supporters appealing to voters for maximum participation. Security arrangements were robust across all polling stations to ensure free and fair elections. The Election Commission deployed extensive resources, including polling officers and security personnel, to manage the electoral process. Voters turned out in significant numbers despite varying weather conditions across different regions. The voter participation reflected public interest in this crucial democratic exercise, which will shape the state's political landscape for the coming years. Results will be declared after all phases of voting conclude.
Mokama Constituency Records Strong Turnout
Mokama constituency witnessed 62.16 percent voter turnout by 5 PM, marking a significant participation rate. This seat features a high-stakes battle between JDU candidate Anant Singh and RJD's Veena Devi, wife of Surajbhan Singh. Before casting his vote, Surajbhan Singh visited a temple seeking blessings and appealed to citizens to demonstrate brotherhood and prioritize voting. He urged people with the slogan emphasizing voting before refreshment. Veena Devi also performed religious rituals before voting and encouraged people to come out without fear and vote peacefully. She emphasized that their campaign had been conducted peacefully and requested similar conduct during voting. Both candidates have significant support bases in the region, making this contest closely watched. The constituency has historically been a stronghold for powerful political families, and this election continues that tradition. Local issues, development promises, and candidate credibility played major roles in voter decisions. The substantial turnout indicates strong public engagement with the electoral process in this politically sensitive constituency.
Danapur and Siwan Constituencies See Mixed Response
Danapur constituency recorded 55.27 percent polling, where RJD candidate Ritlal Yadav is contesting from Bhagalpur jail. He faces charges of demanding 50 lakh rupees as ransom. Despite his incarceration, his candidature drew considerable attention and voter interest. In Siwan's Raghunathpur, 51.18 percent voting was recorded. This seat features Osama Shahab, son of strongman Shahabuddin, representing RJD. Shahabuddin's mother cast her vote supporting her grandson, while his wife Hina Shahab expressed confidence in Osama's victory. The family's political legacy continues through the younger generation despite Shahabuddin's legal troubles. These constituencies highlight the complex relationship between criminal backgrounds and political participation in Bihar. Voters faced choices between legacy candidates and alternatives promising clean governance. The Election Commission maintained strict vigilance to prevent any undue influence or electoral malpractice. Both seats have historical significance in state politics, with strong caste and community considerations influencing voter preferences. The outcomes in these constituencies will indicate whether voters prioritize family political lineage or seek change through alternative leadership options.
Lalganj and Other Key Battlegrounds
Lalganj constituency witnessed 59 percent voter participation, where Shivani Shukla, daughter of the late Munna Shukla, is contesting. Her candidature represents continuation of her father's political legacy in the region. The constituency holds emotional significance for supporters who remember Munna Shukla's influence. Brahmapur, recording the lowest turnout at 50.76 percent, features Hulas Pandey of LJP-R, brother of strongman Sunil Pandey. Hulas had previously contested from Brahmapur in 2020 but faced defeat. His name was associated with the Brahmeshwar Mukhiya murder case, adding controversy to his candidature. Manjhi constituency has Randhir Singh of JDU, son of jailed former MP Prabhunath Singh, who is serving sentence in connection with the murder of former Masrakh MLA Ashok Singh. These seats demonstrate how political dynasties persist despite legal challenges faced by family patriarchs. Voter decisions reflect complex calculations involving caste equations, development promises, and candidate credibility. The relatively lower turnout in some constituencies suggests possible voter apathy or strategic abstention. Campaign intensity and local issues significantly influenced participation rates across these varied constituencies.
Political Dynasties and Criminal Backgrounds
The first phase highlighted the persistent influence of political families with controversial backgrounds in Bihar politics. Nine constituencies featuring such candidates recorded varied turnout levels, from 50.76 percent to 65.57 percent. These seats include representatives from powerful families where senior members face serious criminal charges or are currently incarcerated. The phenomenon reflects Bihar's complex political culture where family loyalty and caste considerations often outweigh concerns about criminal records. Candidates performed traditional religious rituals before voting, projecting images of devotion and respectability. Shahabuddin's family actively campaigned for Osama despite the patriarch's imprisonment. Similarly, other candidates leveraged their family names and established networks to mobilize support. The Election Commission implemented stringent measures to ensure these controversial backgrounds did not translate into electoral malpractice or voter intimidation. Security arrangements were particularly robust in these constituencies. Observers noted that voters exercised their franchise relatively freely, though the shadow of past violence and intimidation remained a concern. The results from these nine seats will indicate whether Bihar's electorate is moving toward cleaner politics or continues to accept candidates with questionable backgrounds based on other considerations like caste loyalty and promised development.
Source: Link