NDA Confident as Bihar’s First Phase Polling Begins; Leaders Urge High Voter Turnout

Patna, Nov 2025 : Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday voiced strong confidence in the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) performance in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections. After casting his vote at the Inter-Level State-Run Higher Secondary School in Barahiya, the minister said he expected the alliance to perform even better than in previous years.

“I am saying that in 121 seats, NDA will win, and we will win more seats than in 2010,” Singh told IANS, asserting that the NDA’s prospects were bright as voting began across multiple districts.

The first phase of polling marks the beginning of a crucial electoral battle in Bihar. Voting began at 7 a.m. across 121 constituencies in 18 districts, where more than 3.75 crore eligible voters will determine the fate of 1,314 candidates, including 122 women contenders. Polling will continue until 6 p.m., though in certain sensitive and Naxal-affected regions, voting hours have been shortened as part of heightened security arrangements.

Union Minister Nitin Nabin, who cast his vote at Miller High School in the Digha Assembly segment, encouraged citizens to participate actively. “I appeal to all voters at every polling booth to come out and vote in large numbers. I cast the first vote at my booth; now you too should cast the first vote at yours,” he said.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma also urged people to take part in shaping the state’s future. Calling voting a sacred responsibility, he said: “Your contribution is your sacrifice, and in this sacred act, your vote is your offering. This election is a crucial indicator of the direction of Bihar. Everyone should cast their vote.”

To ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling, the Election Commission of India has implemented stringent security measures. State police, Central Armed Police Forces, and election observers have been deployed across all polling stations. Every one of the polling booths is being 100 per cent webcasted, enabling real-time monitoring.

As part of the Commission’s inclusivity initiative, several specialised polling stations have been set up:

• All-women-managed booths
• Divyang (PwD)-friendly booths
• 320 model polling stations offering improved facilities such as waiting areas, drinking water, and enhanced accessibility

In the Bankipur Assembly constituency, BJP candidate Deepmala Srivastava, who is also the wife of Minister Nitin Nabin, appealed to voters to prioritise voting above all else. “Everyone must vote, and today, vote first before doing anything else — that is my humble request to all,” she said. “I urge people to vote early because only when the polling percentage increases does our democracy become stronger.”

The first phase of polling is expected to set the tone for the remaining stages of the Bihar Assembly elections. With major political alliances staking their claims and leaders across parties calling for high voter turnout, the electoral atmosphere in Bihar remains intense and energetic.

As the day progresses, all eyes will be on voter turnout numbers — a key indicator that could influence the momentum in this high-stakes battle for political dominance in the state.