Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: Polling on November 6 and 11 in Two Phases, Results on November 14
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the much-awaited schedule for the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections today, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle in the eastern state. Voting will be held in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with the counting of votes and declaration of results scheduled for November 14. This timeline ensures the new assembly is in place before the current term ends on November 22.
The announcement comes amid intense political activity, with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar facing off against the opposition INDIA bloc, spearheaded by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). For the first time, political strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party will contest across all 243 seats, adding a new dynamic to the polls.
Key Dates and Phases: A Streamlined Process
Unlike the three-phase polling in the 2020 elections, the ECI has opted for just two phases this time to make the process more efficient while accommodating Bihar’s vast geography and security needs. Here’s a breakdown:
- Phase 1: November 6, 2025 – Polling in 127 constituencies across northern and central Bihar, including districts like Patna, Nalanda, Bhojpur, and Vaishali. This phase covers key battlegrounds where urban voters and Yadav-dominated areas will play a crucial role.
- Phase 2: November 11, 2025 – The remaining 116 seats in eastern and southern Bihar, including Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Gaya. This includes flood-prone regions where logistics could pose challenges.
- Vote Counting and Results: November 14, 2025 – All eyes will be on Patna for the dramatic results day, expected to wrap up within hours due to improved electronic voting machine (EVM) systems.
The model code of conduct (MCC) kicked in immediately after the announcement, barring the government from major policy decisions until the polls conclude. The ECI emphasized a “free, fair, and transparent” process, with special measures for women’s safety, youth voter turnout, and migrant workers.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar highlighted the significance: “Bihar’s elections are a festival of democracy. We’ve planned around festivals like Diwali to ensure high participation.” The dates avoid clashing with Chhath Puja, a major Bihar festival, which falls later in November.
Why Two Phases? Security and Logistics in Focus
Bihar’s history of electoral violence and its diverse terrain – from the Gangetic plains to hilly areas – often necessitates multi-phase voting. The ECI’s decision to limit it to two phases is a nod to better-prepared security forces and advanced surveillance tech, including drones and webcasting at polling stations.
Over 7.5 crore voters are eligible, with a special intensive revision of electoral rolls completed in June-August 2025 adding about 10 lakh new names, mostly young voters. The ECI has deployed 80,000 electronic voting machines and introduced more Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) for transparency.
Critics, including opposition leaders, had pushed for a single-phase poll, but the ECI cited Maoist-affected areas in southern Bihar as a reason for caution.
The Big Fight: NDA vs. INDIA vs. Jan Suraaj
These elections mark Nitish Kumar’s bid for a ninth term as Chief Minister, after his dramatic switch back to the BJP-led NDA in January 2025 following a brief stint with the INDIA bloc. The NDA, comprising Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and smaller allies like Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), holds 131 seats in the outgoing assembly.
NDA’s Pitch: Stability and Development
- Leaders: Nitish Kumar (JD(U)) and Samrat Choudhary (BJP Deputy CM).
- Key Promises: Infrastructure boost, including better roads and electricity; crackdown on corruption; and special packages for Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs).
- Strengths: Strong in upper-caste and EBC belts; BJP’s organizational muscle after its 2024 Lok Sabha gains.
- Challenges: Nitish’s frequent alliance flips have earned him the “Paltu Ram” (turncoat) jibe, eroding trust among youth.
Recent opinion polls, like the Times Now-JVC survey in August 2025, predict NDA winning 140-150 seats, with BJP poised to emerge as the single-largest party (around 81 seats, up from 74 in 2020).
INDIA Bloc’s Counter: Jobs and Social Justice
- Leaders: Tejashwi Yadav (RJD) and Congress’s Rahul Gandhi.
- Key Promises: 10 lakh government jobs; caste-based census for fairer reservations; free electricity and women’s safety initiatives.
- Strengths: Yadav-Muslim consolidation; Tejashwi’s rising popularity post-2024 Lok Sabha performance.
- Challenges: Internal rifts, especially after Nitish’s exit; voter list controversies alleging deletions of minority names.
The bloc, including RJD, Congress, and Left parties, aims for 120+ seats, banking on anti-incumbency against Nitish’s 20-year rule.
Wild Card: Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj
Launched in 2024, Jan Suraaj is contesting every seat with a “clean politics” slogan. Kishor, who masterminded Nitish’s 2010 and 2015 wins, now positions himself as an anti-establishment force. Polls suggest it could snag 20-30 seats, splitting opposition votes in key areas. Kishor has slammed both alliances for “dynastic politics” and promised education reforms.
Hot Issues: Caste, Jobs, and Migration
Bihar’s polls are always a caste arithmetic game:
- Caste Factor: Yadavs (14%) and Muslims (17%) back RJD; EBCs (36%) split between NDA and INDIA; upper castes (15%) lean BJP.
- Youth and Jobs: With 60% under 35, unemployment (7.6%) and migration to Delhi-Mumbai are flashpoints. Rahul Gandhi’s “Bihar model” critique focuses here.
- Women Voters: Over 3.8 crore female voters; schemes like free bus travel have boosted turnout.
- Other Concerns: Floods, law and order, and the liquor ban’s effectiveness.
What Happens Next? Campaign Frenzy Begins
Political heavyweights are gearing up:
- BJP’s Amit Shah and JP Nadda will lead rallies.
- RJD’s Lalu Prasad, despite health issues, will campaign virtually.
- Nitish Kumar starts his “Naya Bihar” tour tomorrow.
The ECI has warned against hate speech and fake news, with cVIGIL app for complaints. International observers from the EU and Commonwealth will monitor.
As Bihar votes, the results could reshape national politics – bolstering Modi’s NDA or reviving the INDIA opposition. With results just over a month away, the state is buzzing. Will it be Nitish’s continuity or Tejashwi’s change? November holds the answer.
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