Voting for the second phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections began on Tuesday at 7:00 am across 122 constituencies in 20 districts, covering approximately 3.7 crore.
Apart from Bihar, bye-elections are also being held for eight Assembly constituencies spread across six states and one Union Territory — Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir; Anta in Rajasthan; Ghatsila in Jharkhand; Jubilee Hills in Telangana; Tarn Taran in Punjab; Dampa in Mizoram; and Nuapada in Odisha.
In Nagrota, Assistant Returning Officer Sumit Kohli said that 150 polling booths had been set up in the constituency and urged voters to turn out in large numbers. “Our machines are ready for mock polling. Voting will take place from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Everyone who arrives by 6:00 pm will be eligible to vote, but I appeal to people to come early. We have around 97,379 voters here, and security arrangements are in place. There is no need for concern,” he said.
Mock polling was conducted at several booths across Bihar to test preparedness ahead of voting.
A total of 3,70,13,556 electors are eligible to vote in the second phase, including 1,95,44,041 male, 1,74,68,572 female, and 943 third-gender voters.
Across the state, 45,399 polling stations have been set up — 40,073 in rural areas and 5,326 in urban areas. Additionally, 595 all-women-managed polling stations, 316 model polling stations, and 91 polling stations managed by persons with disabilities (PwD) have been established.
This phase will decide the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Cabinet. JD(U) leaders in the fray include Vijendra Yadav (Supaul), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), Jayant Kushwaha (Amarpur), Sumit Singh (Chakai), Mohammad Jama Khan (Chainpur), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas).
From the BJP, ministers Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), Vijay Kumar Mandal (Sikati), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur), Neeraj Bablu (Chhatapur), and Krishnanandan Paswan (Harsiddhi) are contesting.
Other key constituencies include Sasaram, Imamganj, Mohania, Bihpur, Gopalpur, Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, Sultanganj, and Nathnagar.
At Bhagalpur, Presiding Officer Anand Kumar told ANI, “Four booths have been set up at Durga Charan High School, including booth number 47, which has 945 registered voters. All preparations are in place, and we expect a good voter turnout.”
In Sasaram, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha’s wife, Snehlata Kushwaha, is contesting as the NDA candidate against RJD’s Satendra Sah. Jan Suraaj has fielded Binay Kumar Singh.
Former Chief Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi’s party is testing its strength again in Imamganj. HAM(S) has fielded Deepa Kumari as the NDA candidate, while Mahagathbandhan has nominated Ritu Priya Chaudhary. Jan Suraaj’s candidate is Ajeet Kumar.
In Mohania, incumbent MLA Sangita Kumari, who earlier won on an RJD ticket, is contesting as a BJP candidate. The Mahagathbandhan has extended support to independent candidate Ravi Shankar Paswan, son of former BJP MP and MLA Chhedi Paswan, after RJD candidate Shweta Suman’s nomination was cancelled.
In Bihpur, sitting BJP MLA Kumar Shailendra is seeking a third consecutive term against Arpana Kumari (VIP) from the Mahagathbandhan and Pawan Choudhary (Jan Suraaj). In Gopalpur, JD(U)’s Shailesh Kumar alias Bulo Mandal faces Prem Sagar alias Dablu Yadav (VIP) of Mahagathbandhan and Mankeshwar Singh alias Mantu Singh (Jan Suraaj). Pirpainti (SC) has a three-way contest between Murari Paswan (BJP), Ram Vilash Paswan (RJD), and Ghanshyam Das (Jan Suraaj).
In Bhagalpur, Congress MLA Ajeet Sharma is contesting against BJP’s Rohit Pandey and Jan Suraaj’s Abhay Kant Jha.
Sultanganj is witnessing a contest between JD(U)’s sitting MLA Lalit Narayan Mandal, RJD’s Chandan Kumar, and Congress’ Lalan Kumar. In Nathnagar, Mithun Kumar (LJP-RV) faces Sheikh Zeyaul Hassan (RJD), Ajay Kumar Roy (Jan Suraaj), and Mohammad Ismail (AIMIM).
Out of the 122 seats going to polls today, 11 are in East Champaran, 10 each in Madhubani and Gaya, nine in West Champaran, eight in Sitamarhi, and seven each in Bhagalpur, Rohtas, Purnia, and Katihar. Six seats each will go to polls in Araria and Aurangabad, followed by five each in Nawada, Banka, and Supaul; four each in Kaimur, Jamui, and Kishanganj; three in Jehanabad; two in Arwal, and one in Sheohar.
The first phase of polling recorded the highest voter turnout in Bihar’s electoral history at 65.08 per cent, with all major parties claiming it reflected growing support for their respective alliances.
(ANI)