What is the real reason behind record voting in the Bihar elections, will it affect the results?

Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 has witnessed a fierce competition between political parties. The way voters came out to vote in the first and second phases is a major event in the history of Indian democracy. In the first phase on November 6th, 64.66 percent of the votes were cast in 121 assembly constituencies, a 7.37 percent increase from 57.29 percent in 2020. This is Bihar's highest turnout in independent India. In the second phase, on November 11th, 67.14 percent voting had taken place in 122 assembly constituencies by 5 p.m.

It is expected that the second phase could see a record turnout of up to 70 percent.

Also Read: Bihar Election 2025: Voting begins for the last phase of the Bihar elections

The total is estimated to be between 65-70 percent. This figure is not only surprising but also raises questions. Why has the people of Bihar, long known for their apathy towards voting, suddenly become so enthusiastic?

Voting for the Bihar Assembly elections have concluded

Considering Bihar's electoral history, voter turnout has always been a mystery. The turnout in the first assembly elections in 1952 was a mere 35 percent, and it remained between 40-45 percent until the 1960s. It further declined in the 1990s under the shadow of caste violence and crime, but improved after the rise of Nitish Kumar in 2005.

It was 57 percent in 2010, 56.77 percent in 2015, and 57.29 percent in 2020. These figures indicate that Bihar is gradually moving towards democratic participation. But the 65-70 percent figure for 2025 seems to break all previous records.

Let's examine the real reasons behind this bumper voter turnout.

Is the bumper turnout a result of the elections after Chhath?

Chhath is deeply connected to Bihar politics. This festival symbolizes family unity, where migrant workers return home only once a year. In 2025, the Election Commission (ECI) held elections immediately after Chhath, responding to political demands. RJD, JDU, and BJP had urged the EC to hold elections after Chhath to encourage migrants to participate. The ECI took Chhath into account, leading to peak turnout in districts like Begusarai (67.32%) and Gopalganj (64.96%) in the first phase.

Is SIR the Reason?

While there may be many reasons behind the bumper voter turnout in Bihar, the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is the most significant. SIR made voter lists "purest," leading to increased participation. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said, "With SIR, zero appeals and the highest turnout since 1951—a victory for democracy."

Did the Election Commission's administrative reforms play a role?

A key reason for the increased voting percentage, and one we cannot ignore. The contribution of the Election Commission's administrative reforms to voting cannot be denied. The Election Commission has taken new initiatives to make voting a "pleasant experience," such as webcasting, the Voter Helpline app, and mobile voting units. This has significantly eased voting.

Are schemes designed for women the reason?

Women's participation is also being cited as a reason for the record-breaking voter turnout. In the first phase, women's voting was approximately 5-7 percent higher than men's. It is being said that the return of the NDA government, especially the Nitish Kumar government, has become an important issue for women. Nitish Kumar has consistently worked for women at every level for the last 20 years. Political analysts believe that women voters have voted irrespective of caste and religion.