The Bihar Legislative Assembly elections concluded today (November 11, 2025) with the second and final phase of voting across 122 constituencies, covering all 243 seats in the state. Polling was held in two phases—November 6 (121 seats) and November 11 (122 seats)—involving over 7.5 crore eligible voters. This election is widely seen as a referendum on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's 20-year tenure, the NDA's development agenda, and the opposition Mahagathbandhan's (MGB) promises on jobs and anti-incumbency.
Key Highlights from Polling Record Voter Turnout: Bihar recorded its highest-ever turnout at approximately 66.9% overall (64.66% in Phase 1 and 67.14%-68.52% in Phase 2 till 5 PM, with final provisional figures at 68.94%). Women turnout was particularly high at 71%, reflecting strong participation from over 3.7 crore voters in Phase 2 alone.
Major Contenders:NDA (BJP + JD(U) + allies like LJP, HAM): Incumbent alliance, contesting ~160 seats, focusing on infrastructure, women's empowerment, and prohibition.
Mahagathbandhan (MGB: RJD + Congress + Left parties): Opposition bloc, contesting ~143 seats, led by Tejashwi Yadav, emphasizing youth employment and migration issues.
Jan Suraaj Party (JSP): Prashant Kishor's debut, contesting all 243 seats, targeting anti-establishment voters.
No Official Results Yet: Vote counting begins on November 14, 2025, at over 90,700 polling stations, with results expected by evening. A simple majority requires 122 seats.
Voters' Verdict: Exit Poll Projections
Exit polls, released immediately after polling ended, paint a decisive picture favoring the NDA's return to power. Nine major agencies (e.g., Matrize, People's Pulse, Dainik Bhaskar, Chanakya Strategies) conducted surveys, showing a consistent "NDA sweep" with the alliance projected to secure a comfortable majority (130-167 seats). The MGB is expected to trail at 70-102 seats, while JSP's impact remains negligible (0-5 seats). These polls sampled thousands of voters across booths, factoring in turnout trends, but note a ±3% margin of error—actual results could vary slightly due to regional shifts or postal ballots.
Here's a summary of key exit poll projections:
| Poll Agency | NDA Seats | MGB Seats | JSP Seats | Others | Vote Share (NDA/MGB/JSP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matrize-IANS | 147-167 | 70-90 | 0-2 | 2-8 | 48%/37%/8% |
| Dainik Bhaskar | 145-160 | 73-91 | 0-3 | 5-7 | N/A |
| People's Pulse | 133-159 | 75-101 | 0-2 | 3-6 | N/A |
| People's Insight | 133-148 | 87-102 | 0-2 | 3-6 | 44.7%/40.3%/7.9% |
| Chanakya Strategies | 130-138 | 90-105 | 0-3 | 2-5 | N/A |
| JVC | 135-150 | 88-103 | 0-1 | 3-6 | N/A |
| Poll of Polls (Avg. of 9) | 147 | 85 | 1 | 10 | 45%/39%/8% |
What This Means
If exit polls hold, the verdict endorses continuity under Nitish Kumar, rewarding infrastructure gains (e.g., Patna Metro) and welfare schemes, while rejecting a full opposition shift. However, high youth turnout (amid job promises) could narrow the gap—watch for surprises in 50+ contested seats. Markets may remain flat, as Bihar's outcome has limited national ripple effects pre-2029 Lok Sabha polls.
Stay tuned for official results on November 14. Bihar's voters have once again demonstrated robust democracy, with this "historic" turnout underscoring their stake in the state's future.
