Bihar sees an unprecedented spike in voter turnout as women and migrant workers head to the polls
In a historic first‑phase result, Bihar’s 2025 legislative assembly election recorded a 64.66 % turnout – the highest in the state’s history. The surge has been driven largely by huge numbers of women voters and a significant wave of migrants who returned home for the Chhath Puja festival and to cast their ballots.
Migrant voters make a big comeback
About 2.7 million people live outside Bihar, up from 7.45 million in the 2011 Census. Many of these labourers, who work in business, construction, and farm camps across India, usually come back during Chhath – the solar‑deity festival celebrated mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal. This year, the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls prompted even more workers to return home. While exact numbers are unverified, local observers estimate that “lakhs” of migrants filled the booths.
The draft voters’ list added 2.153 million new names, though not all of them are migrants. Nationally, 4.1 million inter‑state migrants were recorded in the 2011 Census, and the 2020‑21 Labour Force Survey noted that 10.8 % of the workforce leaves their home state for employment.
Women voters keep the momentum
Women in Bihar again joined the electorate in record numbers, signalling sustained interest in the state’s political future. Their active participation has helped push the turnout past the 60 % mark for the first time since the 1998 Lok Sabha polls.
Why the high turnout matters
The stark rise in votes reflects voter enthusiasm for local issues such as jobs and development. Unlike a uniform bloc, migrants’ voting choices vary by caste, community, and candidate performance. They could swing the result in favor of the ruling National Democratic Alliance, the opposition Mahagathbandhan, or other local parties like the Jan Suraaj Party, as well as independents.
Election schedule and next steps
The first phase on Thursday saw 121 constituencies in 18 districts eclipsing 3.75 crore registered voters. The remaining 122 seats across 20 districts, covering another 3.70 crore voters, will vote on November 11. Counting is scheduled for November 14.
With a turnout not seen since 2000 – when Bihar hit 62.57 % – the 2025 assembly election is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the state’s democracy.
Source: ianslive
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