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.”