Bihar Elections: From Six Phases in 2010 to Just Two in 2025

The Election Commission of India has announced that the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 will be held in two phases - on November 6 and 11 - to elect a new government. The results will be declared on November 14.

The election will determine the future of the ruling NDA government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, which faces a challenge from the INDIA bloc comprising RJD, Congress, and other parties.

Phase-wise Voting:

Phase 1 (November 6): 121 Assembly constituencies in central Bihar

Phase 2 (November 11): 122 constituencies in north, east, and south Bihar

Bihar Polls Over the Years

Three Phases in 2020:

The 2020 Assembly elections were held in three phases, despite political parties demanding one or two-phase polling.

Shorter Elections Over Time:

Bihar has gradually reduced the number of voting phases over the last three decades:

2005: February polls in three phases; October-November polls in four phases

2010: Six phases

2015: Five phases

2020: Three phases

Single-Phase Voting Before 2000:

Before the creation of Jharkhand in 2000, Bihar elections were held in a single phase. For example, the 1995 election was held on 2 March 1995 for all 324 constituencies (including present-day Jharkhand).

Nitish Kumar's Early Tenure

In March 2000, Nitish Kumar was elected Chief Minister for the first time, supported by the AB Vajpayee-led NDA. At that time, the NDA and allies had 151 MLAs, while Lalu Prasad Yadav had 159 MLAs in the 324-member house. Nitish resigned after seven days, and Rabri Devi was sworn in again as Chief Minister.

Why Two Phases in 2025

The term of the incumbent 243-seat Bihar Assembly ends on 22 November 2025. Voting will be conducted at 90,712 polling stations for 7.43 crore voters, including:

Men: 3.92 crore

Women: 3.50 crore

Third gender: 1,725

The Election Commission decided on two phases after reviewing factors such as voter awareness, availability of CAPFs, law and order assessment, and EC capacity. Political parties had also requested post-Chhath festival dates (25-28 October) and fewer phases.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar said: "Voter awareness, availability of CAPFs, assessment of law and order, and the enhancement in the capacity of the EC and its officials - looking at all these factors, it was felt appropriate to conduct the elections in two phases."

The decision also considered the prolonged 2024 Lok Sabha elections, held in seven phases, which saw a dip in voter turnout.