Patna, Bihar – November 6, 2025

Voters across 18 districts of Bihar began casting their ballots at 7 a.m. on Thursday for the first phase of the state assembly elections. A total of 121 assembly constituencies are up for grabs, with 1,314 candidates in the race, including 1,192 men and 122 women. The state’s electorate consists of 3,75,13,302 voters, comprising 1,98,35,325 men, 1,76,77,219 women, and 758 third-gender voters.

Polling is taking place at 45,341 stations, including 36,733 in rural areas and 8,608 in urban centers. The Election Commission has designated 320 booths as model polling stations, 926 will be managed entirely by women, and 107 will cater to persons with disabilities. Webcasting is set up at all polling stations to maintain transparency.

Most booths will remain open until 6 p.m., but voting in six constituencies located in Naxal-affected areas will end at 5 p.m. A mock poll was conducted from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. in the presence of booth-level agents to ensure the voting machines and procedures were working smoothly before the public arrived.

Voting is underway in Khagaria, Munger, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Patna, Bhojpur, Madhepura, Saharsa, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, and Buxar. To ensure a smooth and secure process, unprecedented security arrangements have been made, with police and paramilitary forces deployed across all districts. More than 15 battalions are on standby, and special patrols are stationed at sensitive and hyper-sensitive booths.

In Patna alone, there are 5,677 polling stations, including 541 reserved for women voters, 49 model stations, 14 accessible for persons with disabilities, and three youth-themed booths. In Muzaffarpur, approximately 32.98 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballots at 4,186 polling stations across 11 assembly seats. At Lakhisarai, where several booths are in Naxal-affected areas, all sector officers and polling staff collected electronic voting machines and other materials from Gandhi Maidan on Wednesday. Voting in these areas will conclude at 5 p.m.

Samastipur district has 3,603 polling stations set up for 10 assembly constituencies, where 29,32,602 voters are eligible to vote. Officials confirmed that all polling staff have been provided with vehicles, voting machines, and essential equipment. Special arrangements have been put in place to ensure the elections are free, fair, and peaceful. Observers reported that voters arrived early, and polling began calmly and efficiently, highlighting Bihar’s preparedness for one of the largest democratic exercises in the region.

 Bihar Assembly Elections Kick Off in 18 Districts for First Phase

The first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections is officially underway! Voters in 18 districts across the state began casting their ballots at 7 a.m. today, marking a significant day in Bihar’s democratic journey. With 121 assembly constituencies up for grabs, a total of 1,314 candidates—including 1,192 men and 122 women—are in the fray. The state’s 3.75 crore strong electorate, including men, women, and third-gender voters, will decide the political landscape for the next term.

Polling is being conducted across 45,341 polling stations, with special arrangements such as 320 model booths, 926 women-managed stations, and 107 PwD-friendly booths. Security has been heightened with more than 15 battalions deployed, especially at sensitive and hyper-sensitive locations, ensuring peaceful and smooth voting. In Naxal-affected areas, voting will close an hour earlier at 5 p.m., while the rest of the booths will remain open until 6 p.m.

From Patna’s 5,677 booths to Muzaffarpur’s 4,186 polling stations, preparations have been meticulous. Officials have ensured all staff have proper equipment and vehicles, and webcasting is enabled at all stations to maintain transparency. The early turnout reflects the enthusiasm of voters eager to participate in this crucial democratic exercise.

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