Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 - Phase 1 Voting Kicks Off with 15% Turnout by 9 AM

Bihar's big electoral battle got underway today with the first phase of the 2025 Vidhan Sabha elections. Voters in 17 assembly seats across five eastern districts – Munger, Lakhisarai, Madhepura, Khagaria, and Saharsa – showed keen interest, casting ballots at over 3,000 polling stations. By 9 AM, an average of 14.4% turnout was recorded, with Saharsa leading the pack at 15.27%. Polling is peaceful so far, though a few minor glitches kept things lively. Expect more action as the day heats up under the winter sun.

This phase covers the Kosi region and parts of Seemanchal, where alliances like NDA (BJP-JD(U)) and rivals like RJD are locked in tight contests. Key faces include BJP's Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary from Tarapur in Munger. With 1.36 crore eligible voters, today's vote sets the tone for the remaining four phases through December.

Turnout Snapshot: How Districts Fared by 9 AM

Early hours saw steady queues, especially from women in rural spots. Here's a quick look at the numbers:

District Seats Covered Avg. Turnout (%) Top Seat Performer

Saharsa	4	15.27	Simri Bakhtiyarpur (16.32%)
Khagaria	4	14.15	Beldaur (14.50%)
Madhepura	4	13.74	Alamnagar (13.93%)
Munger	3	13.37	Tarapur (15.08%)
Lakhisarai	2	13.39	Lakhisarai (13.39%)

Saharsa buzzed with energy, while Munger's Tarapur seat – home to Choudhary's poll fight – drew extra crowds. Overall, the slow start is picking up pace, with officials eyeing a 60-65% final turnout.

Quick Highlights: Boycotts, Glitches, and VIP Votes

• Boycott Alert: About 1,400 voters in Sonbarsa (Saharsa) skipped booths 334 and 335 in Barma Itahri block, protesting local issues.
• Tech Hiccups: EVM snags hit a few spots – a 30-minute delay in Lakhisarai's Chanan booth 402, 55 minutes at Dhira's booth 438, and a quick fix in Khagaria's Parbatta booth 6. VVPAT woes added 20 minutes at Geruapur Sanda.
• Star Turnout: Union Minister Giriraj Singh (BJP) voted early at booth 168 in Lakhisarai's Suryagarha, urging everyone to join the democratic fest.
• Peaceful Vibes: No big clashes reported, but watch for afternoon rushes in villages like Dih Piparia and Basauna, where folks rallied for better roads pre-poll.

As Bihar's 243-seat drama unfolds, this phase tests alliances ahead of the results on December 10. First-timers and families are out in force, making it a true people's show. Stay dry – light rain is forecast in some areas!