Bihar is voting today in the second phase of the 2025 Assembly Elections. Polling will take place from 7 am to 5 pm across 45,399 polling stations in 122 constituencies.
This phase includes several key seats likely to influence the overall outcome. In the first phase, held on November 6 across 121 constituencies, the state recorded its highest-ever voter turnout of 64.66%
Following the final phase of voting, the highly anticipated exit polls will also be announced today. Since voting ends at 5 pm, the exit poll predictions for the next Bihar government are expected to start around 6:30 pm.
The Bihar Police on Monday night issued a statewide security advisory after a car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station killed nine people and injured several others.
In an official communication, the Bihar Deputy Inspector General (ATS) directed all Senior Superintendents and Superintendents of Police to maintain heightened vigilance and intensify patrolling across districts.
The advisory comes as Bihar heads to the polls today, with authorities on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents.
Voting for the second and final phase of Bihar elections has begun across 122 of the 243 Assembly seats in the state.
VIDEO | Katihar: People queue up outside Madrasa Darul Huda Kathotia, Booth No-199, Barari, as voting begins for the second phase of the Bihar Assembly polls.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 11, 2025
Today, 122 seats across 20 districts are going to the polls. Counting of votes is scheduled for November 14.… pic.twitter.com/5PRycAXjsx
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters in Bihar to participate actively in the second and final phase of the Assembly elections.
In a post on X, Modi said, “Today marks the second and final phase of Bihar Assembly elections. I urge all voters to participate enthusiastically and help set a new record. To the young first-time voters: cast your vote and inspire others to do the same!”
Second phase of voting is underway for the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections acorss 122 constituencies since 7am and will continue till 5 pm.
In this phase, the electoral fate of 1,302 candidates, including several ministers in the Nitish Kumar government, will be sealed.
It is also being seen as a veritable test of strength for minor NDA partners Hindustani Awam Morcha, headed by Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha.
In the first phase, held on November 6 across 121 constituencies, the state recorded its highest-ever voter turnout of 64.66%.
Around 14.55% voter turnout was recorded till 9 am in the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly elections on Tuesday.
The decisive factor in Bihar goes beyond promises to tackle unemployment and poverty. As elsewhere in India, caste remains central to determining who forms the government.
Here is a look at Bihar's complex caste equations:
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar urged electors to exercise their franchise in the final phase, saying voting is "not only our right, but also a responsibility."
"I appeal to voters to exercise their right to vote in the second phase of the Bihar assembly elections," he posted on the social media platform.
Key constituencies to watch in Bihar polls phase 2 feature heavyweight ministers, celebrity entrants, and intra-alliance battles shaping crucial regional and caste equations across the state.
The politically sensitive Seemanchal region — comprising Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, and Katihar — is also crucial battleground in this phase.
Home to a large portion of Bihar’s 17% Muslim population, Seemanchal has seen intense campaigning from all major parties, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Rahul Gandhi.
Nearly one-third of all candidates have criminal cases against them, including serious charges such as murder and crimes against women. Almost half are crorepatis. Data also highlights a severe underrepresentation of women in the second phase.
Women, famously, have walked out on their old role in politics. They are no longer silent spectators, they have a voice. Nitish Kumar was among the first to hear it. He knew this was one constituency that does not migrate, that stays back to vote. By now, it’s a decisive bloc of over 3.5 crore voters.
For all the change brought by new actors, the political landscape of Bihar is almost entirely masculine. From the avuncular Nitish and the bristling Tejashwi Yadav, both very homespun, to the two prodigals who have returned with the stamp of outside prosperity, Chirag Paswan and Prashant Kishor. The men are the ones kicking up all the dust, shooting off their mouths, often their guns. The women are deciding between them.
A minor clash took place between supporters of different political parties near a booth in Warisaliganj area in Bihar's Nawada district during the final phase of voting on Tuesday.
A video purportedly showing the clash has gone viral on social media. In the video, a person was heard saying that he was beaten by his opponents for not casting a vote in favour of a particular party.
Speaking to PTI, Nawada Superintendent of Police Abhinav Dhiman said, "A minor clash took place between supporters of different political parties around 1.5 km away from the polling booth. Officials concerned and security personnel are at the spot and they are looking into the matter. The situation in the area is completely under control and voting is underway smoothly."
He said that rumours that a government vehicle engaged in poll duty has been damaged are completely baseless and claimed that the damaged vehicle is a private one and has nothing to do with poll duty.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday described Bihar as the birthplace of democracy and said the state has suffered for the last 20 years due to an "opportunistic", "corrupt" and "anti-poor" government and time has come for a change now.
"Bihar, the birthplace of democracy, has demonstrated in the first phase how enthusiastic its voters are for change. Today, in the second phase of voting, I urge you to cast your vote and encourage your relatives, friends, and neighbours to do the same," he said in his post on X.
Noting that Bihar needs a 'model' filled with economic development, social justice, and equality, Kharge said, "For 20 years, Bihar has suffered under an opportunistic, corrupt, and anti-poor and deprived government. Today is the time for change."
The Congress chief said the time has come to provide justice to Dalits, Mahadalits, backward, extremely backward, economically weaker sections, and minority communities. "Youth have the opportunity to secure jobs, women security, farmers their rights, and begin a new chapter of public welfare for all," Kharge said.
Around 31.38% voter turnout was recorded till 11 am in the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly elections on Tuesday.
Kishanganj district recorded the highest polling percentage so far at 34.74, followed by Gayaji (34.07), and Jamui (33.69).
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday urged the people of Bihar to vote for jobs, education, health, and industry, as well as for the protection of democracy and the Constitution.
"Today is the second and final phase of voting in Bihar. I appeal to all my brothers and sisters in the state to participate enthusiastically in this grand festival of democracy," she said in a post in Hindi on X.
"Vote for jobs, education, health, and industry, for the protection of democracy and the Constitution, for Bihar's bright future, and form a government that works dedicatedly for you," the Congress general secretary said.
The second phase, in which eight ministers of his cabinet are in the fray, involves high stakes for the ruling NDA, as also the opposition INDIA bloc, which pins its hopes on the incumbency factor, as well as the high concentration of Muslims in many of the poll-bound districts.
The second phase is of particular significance for the Congress, a spent force which is, nonetheless, the second largest constituent of the INDIA bloc in Bihar.
Of the 19 seats it had won in 2020 assembly polls, 12 go to polls in the current phase. Its sitting MLAs include state president Rajesh Kumar Ram (Kutumba) and Shakeel Ahmed Khan (Kadwa).
However, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, the proverbial 'X factor' in the elections, believes that the spike in voting percentage is due to the fact that people of the state, who had been in search of an "alternative", have found one in his barely a year old outfit.
RJD MP Manoj Jha on Tuesday expressed confidence in a Mahagathbandhan victory in the ongoing Bihar elections, saying that the change which was seen in the first phase of polling has turned into a "big wave", which will oust the NDA from the State.
Jha alleged that PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath had employed various electoral tactics to divert attention away from issues of jobs, migration and social security, but said that these were rejected by people of Bihar who are focusing on the real issues.
"The change that knocked on our doors in the first phase is now turning into a big wave of change... The Prime Minister, the Home Minister, the UP CM, and countless other ministers tried their best to change the pitch in Bihar so that no one could discuss jobs, migration, or social security. But Bihar hasn't gone away from its pitch," the RJD leader said.
Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha on Tuesday highlighted the "tremendous enthusiasm" among citizens for the NDA as voting for the second phase of the Bihar elections is underway. He said that the female voters are casting their vote with full enthusiasm and expressed confidence in the NDA's victory in the elections.
"There is tremendous enthusiasm among the voters. Women voters are casting their votes with full enthusiasm. Based on the trends, the results are expected to be more in favour of the NDA than expected," Kushwaha told reporters.
Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor on Tuesday urged the voters of Bihar, where the final phase of assembly polls was underway, to judiciously exercise their right to franchise.
Talking to reporters in Kargahar assembly segment of Rohtas district, where he cast his vote, Kishor said failure to make use of the opportunity presented by the elections would "condemn the state to another five years of corruption, unemployment and forced migration."
VIDEO | Rohtas: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor arrives to cast his vote at a poling booth, says, “People across the state are voting, and I too have come to fulfil my responsibility.”
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 11, 2025
On the Delhi blast, he says, “The blast in Delhi is a matter concerning the Central… pic.twitter.com/F3avr00Hrn
"I would urge the people of Bihar not to waste time inside their homes or with their neighbourhoods. They must venture out, reach their polling booths and vote for a change, for their own betterment," said Kishor.
"The elections are an opportunity to choose good candidates and ensure that there is an improvement in education and job creation. If this opportunity is missed, the state shall have to put up with another five years of rampant corruption, unemployment and forced migration," he added.
Around 47.62% voter turnout was recorded till 1 pm in the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly elections on Tuesday.
RJD leader and INDIA bloc's chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday said that through the "record voting" in the first phase of Bihar elections, people have given a direct message that they want "result" and not "jumla (hollow rhetoric)."
The RJD leader, in a long X post on the day of the second phase of voting, said, "All that the people have got from the NDA government is assurances, slogans, rhetoric, and empty promises. People of Bihar can no longer stand these, not even for a second."
He claimed that the INDIA bloc has, over the past few years, worked hard to design a development policy for Bihar, which is "inclusive in nature and caters to every class, caste, religion, and community." He said that the people have "annulled the dirty tricks of the NDA" meant to mislead them.
Tejashwi said, "My dream is the same as yours. Your pain is the same as mine. Our goals are the same, which no outsider to Bihar can truly understand."
"It's already too late. In the last 20 years, we have failed to achieve real development. The government could not provide jobs for the youth, reduce crimes, ensure quality education, or build good hospitals for effective healthcare. Farmers remain stricken with floods, traders are facing losses, and people are still in the grip of inflation," he added.
From JD(U)'s acting president Sanjay Jha and Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi to Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor and state Congress chief Rajesh Ram -- leaders from both sides of the political divide cast their votes in the second phase of the Bihar elections on Tuesday.
State Industries Minister Nitish Mishra, Purnea MP Pappu Yadav, BJP's Jamui candidate Shreyashi Singh and Independent nominee Jyoti Singh, who is the wife of Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh, also cast their votes.
BJP leader Shahnwaz Hussain and Congress MLA Ajeet Sharma, too, voted in this phase.
Ram claimed that a large number of people are voting in favour of the INDIA bloc in this phase. "The body language of voters, candidates, and the INDIA bloc leaders is indicative of a clear victory for the alliance," he said.
JD(U)'s Jha, on the other hand, claimed that the NDA was heading to a "record-breaking majority."
"There is no anti-incumbency against CM Nitish Kumar despite him staying in power for 20 years. There is pro-incumbency and a strong undercurrent in favour of the government among people," he claimed.
Jha alleged that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was doing politics of desperation as he has "already accepted his defeat."
Manjhi claimed that the work done by him at the Centre has greater resonance in regions going to the polls in the second phase. "In the second phase, voter turnout will be greater than in the first phase. Women and Dalit voters will particularly vote in large numbers in favour of the NDA," he claimed.
The second and final phase of the bihar Assembly polls have recorded around 60.40 per cent voter turnout till 3 PM.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday turned up at the JD(U)'s war room in Patna to take stock of the final phase of the crucial assembly polls that were underway.
The JD(U) president, who has been in the seat of power longer than any of his predecessors, reached the party office shortly after a meeting with Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan', one of his most trusted aides.
The 75-year-old is understood to have been buoyed by reports that his party, which had suffered a setback in the 2020 assembly polls, was poised for a better-than-expected performance this time.
A minor clash between supporters of different political parties was reported near a polling booth in the Warisaliganj area of Nawada district during the final phase of assembly polls in Bihar.
"A minor clash took place between supporters of different political parties around 1.5 km away from the polling booth. Officials concerned and security personnel are at the spot and they are looking into the matter. The situation in the area is completely under control and voting is underway smoothly," Nawada Superintendent of Police Abhinav Dhiman was quoted as saying by the PTI.
He said that rumours that a government vehicle engaged in poll duty has been damaged are completely baseless and claimed that the damaged vehicle is a private one and had nothing to do with poll duty.
The second and final phase of the bihar Assembly polls have recorded around 67.14 per cent voter turnout till 5 PM.
Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD) chief Tej Pratap Yadav on Tuesday said the blast near Delhi's Red Fort, which left 12 people dead, was a result of a "major security lapse."
He also called on the government to take "serious cognisance" of the issue and arrest the perpetrators.
A provisional voter turnout of 67.14 per cent --the highest ever-- was recorded at the close of polling in the second phase of the Bihar assembly elections, officials said.
The polling percentage across 122 constituencies comprising 3.70 crore voters, which was higher than the 65.09 turnout registered in the first phase on November 6, was likely to go up, as queues of voters were seen at many booths, officials said.
Kishanganj, the lone Muslim-majority district in the state, recorded the highest polling percentage so far at 76.26 per cent.
The People's Pulse have projected an easy win for the JD(U)-led NDA alliance with 133-159 seats. They have given the opposition Mahagathbandhan 75-101 seats, while Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraj Party has been given 0-5 seats.
Matrize agency has projected a big win for the ruling NDA alliance with 147-167 seats. The agency has projected 70-90 seats for the opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance while JSP has been given 0-2 seats.
Three more exit polls have projected a clear victory for the JD(U)-led ruling alliance, giving it over 130 seats --well past the majority mark.
Dainik Bhaskar has projected 145–160 seats for the NDA, while predicting a major setback for the opposition alliance with just 73–91 seats. JSP has been projected to win 0-3 seats while 5-7 seats are predicted to be won by others.
JVC's Polls has given 135-150 seats to the NDA and 88-103 seats for the INDIA bloc. They have projected 0-1 seats for the JSP while giving 3-6 seats for others.
People's insight has given 133-148 seats to the NDA and 87-102 seats for the Mahagathbandhan.
