Campaigning for the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 ends today. Over 3.7 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,302 candidates across 122 constituencies on November 11, with results to be announced on November 14.
As the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 move into their decisive phase, political campaigning for the second and final round is set to conclude at 6 p.m. on Sunday. The stage is now set for polling day—November 11—when voters across 20 districts will cast their ballots in 122 assembly constituencies to decide the future of the state’s government.
This phase marks a crucial moment in Bihar’s electoral journey, covering a larger geographical and political expanse compared to the first phase. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), 1,302 candidates are contesting in this round, including 1,165 men, 136 women, and one third-gender candidate. Over 3.7 crore voters, comprising 1.95 crore men and 1.74 crore women, are eligible to exercise their franchise.
The first phase of polling, held on November 6, witnessed an impressive 64.6% voter turnout, signaling robust public participation. Among districts, Begusarai recorded the highest turnout at 67.32%, while Sheikhpura saw the lowest at 52.36% till 5 p.m., according to the ECI data. Election officials described the turnout as “encouraging” and a testament to Bihar’s deepening democratic engagement.
Major Alliances Gear Up for Final Showdown
The contest remains primarily between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA)—led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United)—and the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Indian National Congress (INC). Both alliances have pulled out all stops to woo voters, with leaders crisscrossing the state in the final hours of campaigning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has addressed multiple rallies across Bihar, hailed the enthusiasm of voters as “a reflection of public trust in the track record of Narendra and Nitish.” Modi emphasized continuity and development, highlighting the NDA government’s welfare schemes, infrastructure projects, and promises of stable governance.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah added momentum to the NDA’s final push, holding three rallies and a grand roadshow on Friday. Shah urged voters to “choose progress over politics of appeasement” and reaffirm their faith in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership.
Meanwhile, the opposition Mahagathbandhan projected the elections as a battle between “change and stagnation.” RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has campaigned aggressively, focusing on unemployment, inflation, and alleged governance failures. The Congress, too, has made bold claims, with its internal assessments suggesting that “12 out of 15 ministers” contesting in the first phase are likely to lose.
Key Electoral Dynamics
The second phase covers a diverse range of constituencies spread across central, northern, and southern Bihar—including politically sensitive regions such as Patna, Nalanda, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, and Gaya. Analysts believe the outcome here will be decisive in shaping the overall result.
The NDA is banking on Nitish Kumar’s governance record, central welfare schemes, and the Modi factor. In contrast, the Mahagathbandhan seeks to consolidate anti-incumbency sentiment, appealing particularly to youth and economically marginalized groups. Smaller parties, including the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, are also contesting independently in select seats, potentially influencing vote splits in key constituencies.
End of Campaigning and Next Steps
As campaigning officially ends today, the Election Commission has urged political parties to maintain the Model Code of Conduct and ensure peaceful polling. Security arrangements have been tightened across all 20 districts, with the deployment of central armed forces, quick response teams, and drone surveillance in sensitive areas.
With just hours left before silence descends on the campaign trail, both alliances are making their last appeals through social media, door-to-door outreach, and community interactions.
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All eyes are now on November 11, when Bihar’s 3.7 crore voters will determine the fate of 122 assembly constituencies. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on November 14, potentially reshaping the state’s political landscape for the next five years.
