The first phase of the Bihar assembly elections on November 6, 2025, saw a tense atmosphere as scattered incidents of violence and administrative complaints were reported. Voting across 18 districts continued until 6 pm, with a turnout of 42.31% recorded by 1 pm. The election is held in two phases, and the results will be announced on November 14.
Convoy of Deputy CM Attacked in Lakhisarai
One of the most dramatic incidents during the first phase occurred when the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha was allegedly attacked in Lakhisarai. Reports indicated that stones, cow dung, and slippers were thrown at his vehicle. A visibly angry Vijay Sinha accused members of the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) of being responsible for the attack, labeling them as “RJD goons.” He further stated that the attackers were upset with the NDA’s (National Democratic Alliance) rising popularity and threatened that “bulldozers would run over their chests.”
RJD Candidate Threatens Officer in Maner
In another incident, RJD candidate Bhai Virendra was caught on camera threatening a police officer in Maner. When asked to show his identification, Virendra became aggressive and told the officer, “I will set you on fire right here.” He questioned the administration’s authority to check IDs during the polling process, further intensifying the political tension in the area.
CPI Candidate’s Car Attacked in Saran
In Saran, during the polling process in Manjhi constituency, the car of CPI candidate Satyendra Kumar was attacked by unidentified individuals. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the attack.
Woman with Oxygen Support Finds Name Missing From Voter Roll
In Patna, a woman who arrived at a polling booth with an oxygen tube in her nose was shocked to find that her name was missing from the voter list. She later filed a complaint with the Women’s Commission, alleging negligence on the part of the authorities for not updating the list properly.
Steady Voter Turnout Across Districts
As voting progressed, Bihar’s voter turnout showed a steady increase. The following pattern was observed throughout the day:
At 9 am, the turnout was 13.13%.
By 11 am, it increased to 27.65%.
By 1 pm, the total turnout reached 42.31%.
District-wise, Gopalganj recorded the highest turnout at 46.73%, followed by Khagaria at 42.94%. On the other hand, Patna had the lowest turnout at 37.72% by 1 pm.
Concerns Over Missing Names and Restricted Polling
In Chhapra, around 150 residents from the Brahmapur locality claimed their names were missing from the voter list, alleging it to be a conspiracy. Several sensitive booths in Simri Bakhtiyarpur, Mahisi, Tarapur (Munger district), and Jamalpur had their polling hours restricted to 5 pm due to security concerns. In Hajipur village (Fatuha constituency), a presiding officer fell ill and was taken to the hospital.
Detentions in Bihar Sharif
In Bihar Sharif, four BJP workers were detained by the police in Ward 16. They were allegedly found distributing leaflets near polling booths 226–232, an activity that is prohibited on election day.
The first phase of the Bihar assembly elections has been marked by significant political tension and administrative challenges. Despite these hurdles, the election process continued across the state, with voter turnout steadily increasing throughout the day. However, several complaints about missing names from voter lists and incidents of violence suggest that the second phase of the elections may face similar challenges.
