Bihar elections voting phase I LIVE news: 64.46% voter turnout logged till 8 pm, says ECI

Bihar Assembly election 2025 phase 1 voting LIVE updates: Bihar has registered a voter turnout of 64.46 per cent as of 8pm in the first phase of Assembly elections, according to ECI data

9:43 PM

Bihar polls: Gadkari blames global economy for agri distress, voices regret over farmers' suicides Supaul

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday blamed the “global economy run on the principle of demand and supply”, for agrarian distress prevailing in the country, where thousands of farmers have been “driven to suicide”. The observations came at a rally in poll-bound Bihar's Supaul district where Gadkari, a former BJP president, had flown down to canvas in favour of Bijendra Yadav, one of the most senior ministers in the Nitish Kumar government and a veteran JD(U) leader.

9:02 PM

Strong wave in favour of BJP candidate in Ghatshila bypoll, claims Babulal Marandi

Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi on Thursday claimed that there was a "strong wave" in favour of BJP and NDA candidate Babulal Soren in the Ghatshila byelection. Addressing reporters at Ghatshila, Marandi said that BJP leaders have got in touch with voters in each of the booths and panchayats in the last few weeks and also held 'sammelan' (meetings) in each panchayat.

 

7:21 PM

RJD goons attacked my convoy on my home turf: Bihar dy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Thursday charged "goons" of the RJD, the main opposition party, with "attacking" his convoy in a village in Lakhisarai, his home turf, where he went following complaints that voters were being "terrorised". The senior BJP leader also blew a fuse when some local officials suggested that the attackers were local residents venting their spleen on polling day over the lack of amenities like roads in the area.

7:09 PM

Bihar polls: Flooded roads, 20-year wait for booth to return to village as voters bat for democracy

Far from the election campaigns and high-decibel claims of political parties, the first phase of Bihar polls on Thursday captured both the grit of voters and the gaps that successive governments have failed to plug. In Darbhanga's Kusheshwar Asthan constituency, voters braved flooded roads and difficult terrains to cast their votes, many with their children in tow.

 

6:43 PM

UP Police deploys 600 personnel, raises 100 check-posts in border districts amid Bihar polls

Amidst the ongoing Assembly elections in Bihar, its neighbouring state, Uttar Pradesh, has deployed over 600 police personnel and 40 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) along the border to maintain peace and ensure smooth polling. According to an official statement, a total of 602 police personnel, comprising 188 Sub-Inspectors, 187 Head Constables and 227 Constables, have been deployed. They have been supplemented by 40 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), along with necessary resources and equipment, in the border districts.

6:41 PM

NDA headed for 'record-breaking victory' in Bihar, Rahul already preparing excuses: Shivraj

Asserting that the NDA was heading for a "record-breaking victory" in Bihar, Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has already started preparing "excuses" for an impending defeat with his "vote chori" allegations. Speaking to reporters in Godsar in Jehanabad district's Ghosi assembly segment, Chouhan said Gandhi's repeated allegations of "vote chori" were an admission that the people favoured the NDA.

 

6:21 PM

Women voters emerge as key factor in NDA’s prospects in Bihar polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing rallies for the upcoming second phase, noted the strong turnout of women voters as a positive sign for the NDA. “Mothers, daughters and sisters suffered most under ‘jungle raj’. Today, they have built a fortress around polling booths to prevent its return,” Modi remarked.

 

6:19 PM

60% voter turnout in first phase of Bihar polls

Amid stray incidents of violence, including an attack on Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha's vehicle, 60.18 per cent of 3.75 crore voters exercised their franchise till 5 pm on Thursday across 121 constituencies in the first phase of Bihar assembly elections. Begusarai district recorded the highest polling percentage at 67.32, followed by Samastipur (66.65) and Madhepura (65.74).

 

6:09 PM

People of Bihar will reject politics of hate: CPI(M) general secretary

The Mahagathbandhan's campaign received an overwhelming response from the people of Bihar, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary MA Baby said on Thursday, and expressed confidence that people, especially youth, will reject "politics of hate". In a post on X, the CPI(M) general secretary said the opposition's alliance has brought issues of people's welfare and livelihood to the fore.

5:47 PM

Bihar's youth to oust NDA from power, elect CM who will give jobs, not 'jumla', claims Akhilesh

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday launched a blistering attack on the ruling BJP and JD(U) during a rally in Bihar's East Champaran district, claiming that the state's youth have made up their minds to "oust the NDA from power and elect a chief minister who will give jobs, not jumla". Addressing a rally as part of campaigning for the INDIA bloc candidates in the assembly polls, Yadav asserted that the people's mood across the state was "against the ruling NDA".

4:57 PM

NDA preparing to steal Bihar polls just as it did in Haryana: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday alleged that the NDA was “preparing to steal” the Bihar Assembly elections, “just like they did in Haryana”. Addressing back-to-back rallies in Sitamarhi and East Champaran, the Congress general secretary claimed that the Election Commission was “colluding with the government to weaken our Constitution and democratic rights”.

4:53 PM

Strong wave in favour of BJP candidate in Ghatshila bypoll, claims Babulal Marandi

Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi on Thursday claimed that there was a "strong wave" in favour of BJP and NDA candidate Babulal Soren in the Ghatshila byelection. Addressing reporters at Ghatshila, Marandi said that BJP leaders have got in touch with voters in each of the booths and panchayats in the last few weeks and also held 'sammelan' (meetings) in each panchayat.

4:37 PM

PM Modi has made the country safe, says Amit Shah at Bihar rally

Addressing a rally in Madhubani, Union home minister Amit Shah said, “PM Modi has made the country safe. The PFI (Popular Front of India) even reached Phulwarisharif. It was an anti-national organisation. Tell me, should PFI be banned or not? PM Modi put everyone from PFI behind bars -- from Kerala to Phulwarisharif.”

4:24 PM

YouTuber Khan Sir casts vote in Patna

Popular YouTuber and educator Khan sir cast his vote in Patna during the Bihar Assembly elections on Thursday, urging young voters to come out in large numbers. After casting his vote, Khan sir said India is the “mother of democracy”, adding that voting is the only time when every citizen stands “equal”, regardless of wealth or status.

4:08 PM

Rahul Gandhi’s fight is for truth and the people, says Priyanka Gandhi

Addressing a rally in Bihar, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said, “Rahul Gandhi's fight is for you and for truth. He is fighting the same battle that Mahatma Gandhi once fought.”

3:51 PM

Bihar election 2025 LIVE updates: 53.77% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm

Bihar registered a voter turnout of 53.77 per cent till 3 pm in the first phase of the Assembly elections, according to data released by the Election Commission of India.

3:45 PM

Whoever is responsible for this incident will face strict action: Police official

"I have spoken with the deputy chief minister. Whoever is responsible for this incident will face strict action. An investigation is currently underway. There are three areas under me: Munger, Lakhisarai, and Sheikhpura. Voting is going on peacefully in all three areas," says DIG, Munger, Range Rakesh Kumar.

3:40 PM

ECI takes note of Lakhisarai violence

The Election Commission of India has taken cognisance of the violence reported in Lakhisarai. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to take action in the matter.

3:06 PM

Bihar election 2025 LIVE update: Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha asks for 'special force'

Speaking to the Superintendent of Police on phone, Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha said, "I am here at the village. The crowd is coming closer. Send Special Force here. I will sit here in protest. The SP is so weak and a coward. They are not letting me go in. They have hurled stones and cow dung."

 

2:51 PM

Congress, RJD never empowered women the way NDA has, says PM Modi

Addressing an election rally in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “In Bihar, Congress and RJD have run governments for several decades, but they never thought of creating initiatives like Jeevika Didi or Lakhpati Didi. They never considered directly transferring money into the accounts of women beneficiaries, opening bank accounts for sisters, or registering houses under women’s names in housing schemes. This is what the NDA’s double-engine government is doing.”

2:44 PM

'Ek baar phir NDA sarkar,' says PM Modi at Bhagalpur rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “Once again, a message is going out to the entire state of Bihar from the land of Bhagalpur - ‘Ek Baar Phir NDA Sarkar’. From the reports and the enthusiasm I have observed in the first phase of voting, a spectacular picture of participation is emerging. Our mothers and sisters are casting their votes with great zeal."

 

2:28 PM

If Congress-RJD were in power, funds meant for women would be looted, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Imagine if Bihar’s most corrupt family and the country’s most corrupt family, both out on bail, were in power -- the money meant for women’s accounts would have gone into the coffers of Congress-RJD leaders. Even today, despite being far from power, they are busy pulling each other down. They are partners only in name; their only job is to drag one another lower.”

2:18 PM

RJD supporters surround Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha’s car, hurl slippers in Lakhisarai

RJD supporters surrounded the vehicle of Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Lakhisarai constituency, Vijay Kumar Sinha, on Thursday, hurling slippers and chanting “Murdabad” slogans while preventing him from moving forward. Police personnel were present at the spot.

2:10 PM

Youth should take responsibility to stop 'vote chori' in Bihar: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Addressing a public gathering in Purnia, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "Yesterday, I held a press conference in Delhi regarding 'vote chori' in Haryana. With evidence, we showed how Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and the Election Commission together targeted the Constitution of India. We clearly showed that BJP won Haryana elections through 'vote chori'."

1:55 PM

42.31% turnout till 1 pm in Bihar, Patna reports lowest voting

According to the Election Commission of India, 42.31 per cent polling was recorded till 1 pm across 121 Assembly constituencies in Bihar during the first phase of the state elections. Patna registered the lowest voter turnout at 37.72 per cent.

1:45 PM

Bihar elections 2025 LIVE: Chirag Paswan casts his vote in Khagaria

Union minister and LJP(RV) chief Chirag Paswan cast his vote at a polling booth in Khagaria in the first phase of Bihar assembly elections. "I have fulfilled my responsibility by casting my vote and I would like every person to do the same to elect a government of their choice," he stated.

1:39 PM

Bihar Election 2025 LIVE update: Voting resumes in Munger’s Bhimbandh after two decades

For the first time in 20 years, voters in the Naxal-affected Bhimbandh area of Munger district exercised their franchise on Thursday, marking a significant return of democracy to a region where polling had been suspended since 2005, following the killing of SP C Surendra Babu and seven police personnel.

1:15 PM

If this election is free and fair, people of Bihar will uproot NDA govt: Cong leader Priyanka Vadra

Addressing an election rally in Govindganj, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated, "This land of yours is pious for us. We are leaders, workers of the Congress which was shown the path by Mahatma Gandhi. Your ancestors, farmers of Champaran, had once shown the way to Mahatma Gandhi."

 

12:58 PM

Bihar election 2025 LIVE update: PM Modi attacks RJD at Araria rally

During an election rally in Araria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Today, I am telling you about the power of your vote. Your grandparents, maternal grandparents' one vote had made Bihar the land of social justice. But then, the 90s decade came, and RJD's jungle raj attacked Bihar. Jungle Raj means - pistol, cruelty, corruption and misgovernance. These became the identity of jungle raj, and this became Bihar's misfortune. Your parents' dreams were crushed."

12:56 PM

Bihar Assembly polls: My vote is for a prosperous and empowered Bihar, says LJP (RV) MP Shambhavi Choudhary

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary said, “My vote is for a prosperous, strong, and empowered Bihar, and for a committed NDA government. Today, I humbly appeal to all the people of Bihar to come out in large numbers and cast their votes.”