Patna, November 11, 2025 — Polling continued at a steady pace across 122 assembly constituencies in Bihar on Tuesday, marking the second and final phase of the state’s high-stakes election. By 11 a.m., 31.38% of the 3.7 crore eligible voters had cast their votes, according to the Election Commission.
This phase is being viewed as a referendum on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership, even though he is not contesting himself. The BJP-led NDA is banking on the ‘good governance’ record under Kumar’s tenure to counter anti-incumbency sentiments. Eight ministers from his cabinet are contesting in this round, making it a crucial test for the ruling alliance.
The INDIA bloc, led by the RJD and Congress, hopes to benefit from anti-incumbency and significant Muslim voter presence in several of the districts voting today. For the Congress, this phase carries particular weight — 12 of its 19 seats from the 2020 elections fall under these constituencies, including those of state president Rajesh Kumar Ram and senior leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan.
Polling began at 7 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m. A total of 1,302 candidates are in the fray, including several state ministers. Minor clashes were reported near a polling booth in Warisaliganj, Nawada district, but voting resumed smoothly after security intervention.
In the first phase, held on November 6, a record 65.09% voter turnout was registered across 121 constituencies. Political strategist-turned-leader Prashant Kishor, whose Jan Suraaj Party is contesting for the first time, claimed that the rise in turnout reflects voters’ desire for an “alternative” to established political players.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar both urged citizens to vote in large numbers. “I urge all voters, especially first-time voters, to participate enthusiastically and inspire others to do so,” PM Modi posted on X. Kumar echoed the sentiment, calling voting both a “right and a responsibility.”
Voting is underway in key districts including West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, and Kishanganj — several of which fall in the sensitive Seemanchal region bordering Nepal. The area, with a high concentration of Muslim voters, remains a focal point of the INDIA bloc’s campaign, while the NDA accuses the opposition of shielding infiltrators.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that the people were “blessing the double-engine government’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ mantra by pressing the vote button.”
