According to the Election Commission of India, Bihar polled 66.19 percent, the highest turnout recorded since 1951.
Published Nov 14, 2025 | 7:06 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 14, 2025 | 8:00 AM
Voters lined up at a polling booth in Bihar. (CEO Bihar)
Stakes are high for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Mahagathbandhan, even as exit polls — 11 of them — are predicting a comfortable win for Nitish Kumar & Co in the two-phased election to the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly. However, the polling, held on 6 and 11 November, sprang a surprise, which has won the curiosity of political pundits.
According to the Election Commission of India, Bihar polled 66.19 percent, the highest turnout recorded since 1951. In 2020, the turnout was 57.29 percent.
Here’s what has made pundits curious: Governments changed whenever Bihar recorded an increased voter turnout — a phenomenon seen in 1967, 1980 and 1990.
The NDA fought the election seeking a third term for Nitish Kumar, and a mandate validating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 11 years at the country’s helm. The Mahagathbandhan tried to rake up anti-incumbency sentiments, while political strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraj Party is trying to make a mark in Bihar’s political landscape.
South First brings you the trends and results as the counting progresses on Friday, 14 November.
Early trends show that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is the Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate, is leading in Raghopur.
According to the early trends of the counting of postal ballots, the BJP is leading over the Mahagathbandhan.
The counting of votes for all 243 Assembly seats in Bihar has begun under tight security. The vote counting has begun with the postal ballots.
RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan’s chief minister face Tejashwi Yadav said, “We are going to win. There will be a change this time.”
Exit polls released by several agencies after polling ended indicated a clear advantage for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Most surveys projected the alliance comfortably crossing the halfway mark in the 243-member Assembly, signalling that Kumar’s record tenure in office may be set to continue.
