Bihar Records Highest Female Voter Turnout in Its History

Bihar recorded its highest-ever female voter turnout, with the overall provisional turnout standing at 68.79% in the final phase — the highest in the state since 1951, according to Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal.

In the second phase held on November 11, women once again outnumbered men, registering a 74.03% turnout, notably higher than the 64.1% male turnout. The trend was similar in the first phase on November 6, when 71.6% of women voted compared to 62.8% of men.

Ten districts, including Muzaffarpur and Samastipur, recorded over 70% turnout in the first phase. Polling was held across 122 Assembly constituencies in 20 districts, with 1,302 candidates contesting.

Women’s voter participation has risen sharply compared to previous years. The last time Bihar saw such strong female turnout was in 2015, when 60.48% women voted, compared to 53.32% men. In contrast, during the 2000 Assembly elections, male turnout was 70.71%, while only 53.28% of women cast their votes.

According to the Election Commission, more than 8.5 lakh polling staff, 1.4 lakh polling agents, and 348 observers (including general, police, and expenditure) were deployed to oversee the process.

The results will be announced on November 14, deciding whether Chief Minister Nitish Kumar retains power or Tejashwi Yadav takes the helm.