The Bihar Legislative Assembly elections concluded with a record voter turnout of 67.13 percent, the highest ever in the state’s electoral history since 1951, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Wednesday. The turnout among male voters stood at 62.98 percent, while female voters recorded an even higher participation rate of 71.78 percent.
The ECI attributed the unprecedented voter response and the smooth conduct of elections — which saw zero repolls and a peaceful, festive atmosphere — to its series of “Bihar First” initiatives launched earlier this year. These included 17 targeted reforms to improve voter convenience, streamline poll management, and enhance transparency through technology-driven processes.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, closely monitored polling activities through a webcasting facility covering all 90,740 polling stations across the state. The Commission’s digital platform, ECINet, served as the technological backbone of the election, ensuring real-time voter services and data monitoring.
A total of 7.45 crore electors were eligible to vote across two phases of polling. The ECI said that scrutiny of documents in all 122 Assembly constituencies in Phase II was completed smoothly in the presence of returning officers, general observers, and candidates or their representatives. No discrepancies or malpractices were found, leading to a historic outcome of zero re-polls, a first for Bihar in recent decades.
All polling-related materials were videographed and re-sealed following scrutiny to ensure procedural integrity.
The ECI highlighted that the “Bihar First” initiatives included intensive voter roll revision with zero appeals, advanced training for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and police personnel, 100 percent webcasting at polling stations, and mobile deposit facilities for voters. The Commission also introduced features such as enhanced EPIC delivery timelines, standard photo IDs for BLOs, and colour photographs of candidates on EVM ballot papers to improve transparency.
With voter turnout data updated in near real time through ECINet, the ECI said the Bihar elections set new benchmarks for efficiency, inclusivity, and transparency in electoral conduct.
The Commission reaffirmed that the Bihar elections demonstrate how technology, training, and voter engagement can transform the electoral process into a seamless and participative democratic exercise.