Message of Record Voting in Bihar: The Voter Will Now Decide the Direction of Power

Patna (Bihar) : The unprecedented voter turnout witnessed in the first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections has created a new stir in the state’s politics. Out of 3.75 crore voters across 18 districts that went to polls in the first phase, nearly 65 percent exercised their franchise. This figure is about 10 percent higher than that of both the previous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Such a sharp rise is not merely a statistical change but a political signal — one that clearly indicates that the voter in Bihar is neither indifferent nor fixed to any single political camp. This voting pattern resembles a silent public mandate that has compelled both the ruling alliance and the opposition to introspect.
The surge in polling percentage is equally concerning for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the ruling NDA and Tejashwi Yadav, the chief ministerial candidate of the Mahagathbandhan. The massive voter participation suggests that the electorate is now making decisions based not only on promises or welfare schemes but on personal experiences and expectations for the future.
The increased turnout also highlights the decisive role of youth and women voters in this election. In recent years, Bihar has witnessed continuous debate on issues like development, employment, and social justice — and this time, voters have expressed their opinion on these issues through their votes.
Traditionally, political analysts associate an unexpected spike in voter turnout with an anti-incumbency wave. However, Bihar’s current scenario appears more complex. There is no visible wave of anger or large-scale resentment against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
On the other hand, Tejashwi Yadav’s promise of “one government job from every household” has stirred public debate, though questions remain on whether this single promise alone could drive such a massive turnout.
It is also worth noting that in the 2020 Assembly elections, the margin of victory in 52 seats was less than 5,000 votes, and Tejashwi Yadav fell short of forming the government by just 12 seats.
In this context, the nearly 10 percent higher turnout recorded this time is enough to quicken the pulse of both ruling and opposition alliances. This record polling not only reflects heightened voter awareness but also carries the potential for unexpected political outcomes.
Ultimately, the biggest message from this record voting is clear — the people of Bihar are no longer silent spectators. They have begun to speak — through their votes, their wisdom, and their faith.