Patna: The second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections began on Tuesday morning across 122 constituencies in 20 districts, marking a decisive moment in the state’s political contest. Voting commenced at 7 a.m. and will continue until 6 p.m., with nearly 3.7 crore voters set to decide the fate of 12 ministers from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s cabinet.
The Election Commission has established 45,399 polling stations, including 40,073 in rural areas and 5,326 in urban centres. Among these, 595 booths are staffed entirely by women, 316 have been designated as model polling stations, and 91 are operated by persons with disabilities. Mock polls were conducted earlier to ensure smooth operations and logistical readiness.
The electorate in this phase comprises 1.95 crore men, 1.74 crore women, and 943 third-gender voters. Security arrangements have been intensified across all districts to ensure peaceful polling.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising BJP, JD(U), HAM(S), and LJP (RV), is seeking another term in power, while the Mahagathbandhan alliance—featuring RJD, Congress, Left parties, and VIP—aims for a comeback. Political strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party is contesting independently, hoping to make electoral inroads.
Prominent candidates in the fray include JD(U)’s Vijendra Yadav (Supaul), Lesi Singh (Dhamdaha), and Sheela Mandal (Phoolparas), alongside BJP’s Prem Kumar (Gaya), Renu Devi (Bettiah), and Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur). High-profile battles are unfolding in Sasaram, Mohania, Bihpur, Gopalpur, Pirpainti, and Bhagalpur, where major political figures face both alliance and independent challengers.
In parallel, a bypoll is being held in Nagrota, Jammu and Kashmir, where 150 polling booths have been set up for nearly one lakh voters. Assistant Returning Officer Sumit Kohli urged citizens to vote in large numbers, assuring strong security measures.
Bye-elections are also underway in eight other constituencies across six states and one Union Territory, including Budgam and Nagrota (J&K), Anta (Rajasthan), Ghatsila (Jharkhand), Jubilee Hills (Telangana), Tarn Taran (Punjab), Dampa (Mizoram), and Nuapada (Odisha).
In the 2020 elections across the same 122 seats, BJP secured 42 constituencies, followed by RJD with 33, JD(U) with 20, Congress with 11, and the Left parties with five. The first phase of the 2025 Bihar elections saw a record voter turnout of 65.08%—the highest in the state’s electoral history.
