New Delhi: Bihar saw a historic voter turnout in the first round of the Assembly elections, the highest since 1951, in a momentous occasion for Indian democracy.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar praised the development, saying, “Bihar has shown the way to the nation. SIR with zero appeals and the highest voter turnout since 1951. Purest electoral rolls and enthusiastic participation of electors. Transparent and dedicated election machinery. Democracy wins.”
Observers believe that the CEC’s “Democracy wins” remark was a subtle message directed at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who has repeatedly accused the Election Commission of undermining democracy and alleged instances of “vote chori” (vote theft).
The comments from the CEC are particularly noteworthy, given that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, designed to purify electoral rolls, is currently being executed in 12 states and union territories, with additional regions set to join subsequently. His message also addressed criticism from opposition parties that have questioned the SIR’s intent.
Kumar commended the electorate of Bihar for their steadfast commitment to the Election Commission of India (ECI), as demonstrated by their vigorous engagement, and lauded the electoral apparatus for its clarity and unwavering dedication.
With a record voter turnout of 64.66 percent, the highest in the state’s electoral history, the first round of the Bihar Assembly elections ended peacefully on Thursday.
Muzaffarpur district had the highest percentage (70.96%), closely followed by Begusarai (68.26%) and Samastipur (70.63%).
Up to 5 p.m., Begusarai’s Bachhwara seat recorded the highest attendance of 69.67%. However, the turnout in the Patna district was comparatively lower, at 48.69%.
In all, 1,314 candidates ran in this phase, including 122 women. The ECI made many provisions, such as webcasting from every booth, 926 stations manned by women, and 107 booths run by people with disabilities.
To ensure a peaceful election, more than 15 battalions of police and paramilitary personnel were sent in, especially to sensitive and Naxal-affected districts.
The first phase has confirmed the vitality of India’s democratic ethos, and as the CEC stated, “Democracy wins,” with Bihar setting new standards for electoral participation and transparency.
More Election News on www.mediaeyenews.com
Caption: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar during a press conference regarding the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections in New Delhi on Monday, October 6, 2025. (Photo: IANS/Prem Nath Pandey)
–IANS
