The Bihar assembly elections received a historical record voter turnout of 69.1 percent, according to the revised data from the Election Commission of India (ECI), marking an increase by nearly 12 percentage points from the polls in 2020. The record voter turnout has spurred debate on which of the two collaborations — the NDA collaboration led by BJP-JD(U) or the opposition INDIA collaboration- would be better positioned to benefit from the increased voter turnout.
The largest increase noted among female voters at 71.6 percent, an increase from 59.7 percent in 2020. In terms of male voters, the turnout rate was also noted to rise to 62.8 percent in the 2025 Bihar assembly polls, compared to the turnout of 54.45 percent in the 2020 Bihar assembly polls.
Women Could Hold the Key to Power
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s long-standing commitment to women’s empowerment has been one of the distinctive features of the state’s electoral politics. Since 2005, his focus on women’s empowerment – through 50 percent reservation for women in Panchayats, cycling and uniform schemes for girls, and 35 percent reservation for women in government jobs – has found favor with women electorates. Not too long ago, Nitish also announced a new scheme called the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana under which ₹10,000 would awarded to women for starting small businesses. Bihar elections voter turnout 2025, Analysts feel that this record female turnout could largely be in favour of the NDA, as was the case in previous elections.
Recently, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has attempted to counter Kumar’s legacy by declaring that he will make Jeevika Community Mobilisers into government employees paid ₹30,000 a month if the INDIA bloc wins. According to analysts, the promise/resolution has resonated with working women.
“Higher turnout may favor the NDA, but Tejashwi’s women promise has legs,” said a political observer based in Patna.
Sharp Increase in Voting in Muslim Counted Seats
There was a noticeable rise in Muslim-majority areas such as Seemanchal and Kosi, where Kishanganj (78.16%), Katihar (77.93%), and Kochadhaman (76.84%) saw double-digit increases in their voting numbers. Purnia saw the largest change, up 21.14% from 2020.
Dr. Anwarul Huda of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind says Muslims turned out in large numbers to vote against Nitish Kumar’s government because of his position on the Waqf Amendment Bill and the delay in Urdu teacher appointments. However, some Muslim leaders argue that a section still supports Nitish Kumar because of his development programmes like boundary walls for graveyards.
Outcome Still Unknown
While higher voter turnout typically equals Anti-incumbency, this gender gap in Bihar could swing the vote. Women had a strong turnout, which could favour the NDA, but the opposition’s increased support among Muslims and youth could mean the outcome is still not predictable.
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