The first phase of voting for the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections concluded in Bhojpur district on November 6, 2025. A total of 53.24 percent voting was recorded across all 7 assembly constituencies in the district. The fate of 82 candidates from various political parties is now sealed in electronic voting machines. Interestingly, a polling booth in Kusumhi village of Agiaon constituency saw only 3 votes being cast during the entire day. The district had set up 2,551 polling stations across the seven assembly seats to facilitate voting. These constituencies included Arrah, Sandesh, Barhara, Agiaon, Tarari, Jagdishpur, and Shahpur. The total number of registered voters in Bhojpur district stood at 20 lakh 98 thousand 535, comprising 11 lakh 14 thousand 277 male voters, 9 lakh 84 thousand 129 female voters, and 29 third-gender voters. Among these, 44 thousand 410 were first-time voters aged between 18 and 19 years. The election saw fierce competition between the National Democratic Alliance and the Grand Alliance. The Bharatiya Janata Party fielded candidates in four constituencies, while Janata Dal United contested from Sandesh and Jagdishpur seats. The Rashtriya Janata Dal put up candidates in four seats, and the Communist Party of India Marxist-Leninist competed in three constituencies. Notably, out of 82 candidates, only three were women, and none of the major alliances gave tickets to female candidates. All polling stations were equipped with webcasting facilities, along with basic amenities like drinking water, toilets, ramps, electricity, furniture, help desks, and proper signage to ensure smooth voting.
Voter Demographics and Turnout Statistics
Bhojpur district recorded a voter turnout of 53.24 percent during the first phase of Bihar assembly elections. The district had a total electorate of 20 lakh 98 thousand 535 registered voters. This included 11 lakh 14 thousand 277 male voters and 9 lakh 84 thousand 129 female voters, along with 29 voters belonging to the third gender category. A significant highlight was the participation of young voters, with 44 thousand 410 first-time voters in the 18-19 age group exercising their franchise. The voting took place across 2,551 polling stations established in seven assembly constituencies. Each polling station was equipped with comprehensive facilities including webcasting systems for monitoring, drinking water arrangements, toilet facilities, ramps for differently-abled voters, electricity supply, furniture, help desks for voter assistance, and clear signage for guidance. An unusual incident occurred at a polling booth in Kusumhi village under Agiaon constituency where only 3 votes were cast throughout the day, highlighting varied voter participation levels across different areas.
Political Alliances and Candidate Distribution
The electoral battle in Bhojpur district featured candidates from both major political alliances competing across seven assembly seats. The National Democratic Alliance saw the Bharatiya Janata Party fielding candidates in four constituencies: Arrah, Barhara, Tarari, and Agiaon, along with Shahpur. The Janata Dal United, another NDA partner, contested from Sandesh and Jagdishpur seats. On the opposition side, the Grand Alliance witnessed the Rashtriya Janata Dal nominating candidates in four constituencies including Sandesh, Jagdishpur, Barhara, and Shahpur. The Communist Party of India Marxist-Leninist contested from Arrah, Tarari, and Agiaon seats as part of the Grand Alliance. In total, 82 candidates from various political parties competed for the seven assembly seats, with their electoral fortunes now locked in electronic voting machines awaiting the counting day. The distribution of seats between alliance partners reflected strategic considerations based on constituency-wise political equations and historical performance records. Independent candidates also threw their hats in the ring, adding to the competitive nature of the elections.
Women Candidates and Gender Representation
A striking feature of the Bhojpur district elections was the extremely limited representation of women candidates. Out of 82 total candidates contesting across seven assembly constituencies, only three were women. Neither the National Democratic Alliance nor the Grand Alliance gave tickets to any female candidate, reflecting a significant gender gap in political representation. The Jan Suraaj Party nominated Padma Ojha from Shahpur assembly constituency, making her the only woman candidate fielded by a recognized political party. The other two female candidates were independents: Kajal contested from Barhara constituency, while Sandhya Kumari tried her luck from Sandesh seat. This minimal presence of women in the electoral fray raises questions about political parties' commitment to gender inclusivity and women's political participation. The absence of women candidates from major political alliances, despite constitutional provisions and societal calls for better representation, indicates persistent challenges in mainstreaming women's leadership in electoral politics. This situation stands in contrast to the substantial number of female voters registered in the district.
Historical Electoral Patterns in Arrah Constituency
Arrah assembly constituency has witnessed significant political shifts over the decades. The Congress party won from this seat seven times historically, but has not tasted victory here since 1985. In the year 2000, Amarendra Pratap Singh, son of former Chief Minister Harihar Singh, won the seat on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket, establishing BJP's dominance in the constituency. Amarendra Pratap Singh went on to become a five-time MLA from Arrah, cementing the seat as a BJP stronghold. However, in 2015, the constituency slipped from BJP's hands and went to the Rashtriya Janata Dal. The caste equations in Arrah have traditionally favored Rajput and other upper caste communities, though Yadav, Muslim, and Dalit voters also play a decisive role. In the 2020 assembly elections, BJP's Amarendra Pratap Singh reclaimed the seat with 71,781 votes, defeating Communist Party of India Marxist-Leninist candidate Kayamuddin Ansari who secured 68,779 votes. The relatively narrow margin indicated competitive political dynamics despite BJP's historical advantage in the constituency.
Barhara Assembly Seat Political Landscape
Barhara assembly constituency is often referred to as the Chittorgarh of Bihar due to the traditional dominance of Rajput community voters. The constituency features a diverse caste composition with Koeri, Yadav, and Rajput communities playing key roles in determining electoral outcomes. The current BJP MLA Raghavendra Pratap Singh has won from this seat six times, establishing an unprecedented record of electoral success. In addition to candidates from major political parties, Barhara saw 10 independent candidates contesting in this election cycle, including Kisan Prasad, Dharmapal Yadav, Banshidhar Singh, Ranvijay Singh, Shivdas Singh, Saroj Yadav, Suryabhan Singh, and Saurabh Narang, along with Kajal. The People's Party of India Democratic fielded Santosh Kumar Singh from this constituency. In the 2020 assembly elections, Raghavendra Pratap Singh secured victory with 76,182 votes, while RJD's Saroj Yadav received 71,209 votes. The relatively close contest reflected the competitive political environment despite BJP's consistent hold over the seat through Raghavendra Pratap Singh's personal popularity and organizational strength across multiple election cycles.
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