The first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections has been historic. On Thursday (November 6th), 64.66 percent of people voted across 121 seats in 18 districts. The voter turnout figure is about eight and a half percent higher than the last election, and this high number is causing anxiety for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. If the historical voting pattern is examined, whenever the voter turnout has increased by more than five percent, the ruling government has been voted out.
This year’s election is considered remarkable for Bihar because it recorded one of the highest turnouts. In 2020, the first phase had a 56.1 percent turnout, but that phase covered only 71 seats. This time, 121 seats went to the polls.
Increased Voter Percentage Led to a Change in Government
According to Election Commission data, the first phase of the Bihar election recorded 64.66 percent voter turnout this time. Crucially, the voter percentage has a direct impact on election results. The historical pattern shows that whenever the turnout increased by more than 5 percent, the government changed.
When Congress Lost Power
- In 1962, the turnout was 44.5 percent, but in 1967, it rose to 51.5 percent—a 7 percent increase. Following this surge, the Congress lost power, and a non-Congress government was formed in Bihar for the first time.
- Similarly, in 1980, the turnout was 57.3 percent, compared to 50.5 percent in 1977. The difference was 6.8 percent, and once again, the government changed. The Janata Party was defeated, and the Congress returned to power.
Historical Voter Turnout in Bihar
Below are the percentage figures for voter turnout in previous Bihar elections:
| Year | Voter Turnout (%) |
| 1951-52 | 42.60 |
| 1957 | 43.24 |
| 1962 | 44.47 |
| 1967 | 51.51 |
| 1969 | 52.79 |
| 1972 | 52.79 |
| 2010 | 52.73 |
| 2015 | 56.91 |
| 2020 | 57.29 |
