Bihar Assembly election 2025: Counting of votes begins
What's the story
The counting of votes for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections began on Friday at 8:00am. The results will determine if Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United)-Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) retains power or if the Mahagathbandhan alliance of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, led by Tejashwi Yadav, pulls off an upset.
Election details
67% voter turnout recorded
The Election Commission has set up 46 counting centers across 38 districts for the process. A record 67% of the 7.4 crore eligible voters cast their ballots in this election, a historic turnout for Bihar since independence. However, the days leading to the verdict have been marred by allegations of "vote theft" from RJD and heightened security measures.
Allegations and preparations
RJD alleges 'vote theft;' NDA prepares for victory celebrations
The RJD has alleged "vote theft" in Sasaram after claiming that Electronic Voting Machines were taken to a counting center without notice. However, Rohtas district magistrate Udita Singh clarified that the truck carried empty steel boxes and was inspected in front of candidates. Meanwhile, the NDA prepared for victory celebrations with BJP workers ordering 501kg of laddoos and JD(U) candidate Anant Kumar Singh setting up tents for supporters.
Poll predictions
Exit polls forecast clear mandate for NDA
Exit polls have predicted a clear mandate for the NDA with Today's Chanakya forecasting 148-172 seats for them and People's Pulse giving 133-159 seats. Axis My India predicted a narrow win for the NDA with 121-141 seats but also said RJD could emerge as the single-largest party. NDTV's Poll of Exit Polls forecasts the NDA will win 146 seats, the Mahagathbandhan 92, and the Jan Suraaj Party with a single MLA. The majority mark in the 243-member Assembly is 122.
Twitter Post
Heavy force deployedÂ
#WATCH | Bihar: Police and Administration on alert in Muzaffarpur, preparations in place for the counting of #BiharElection2025 pic.twitter.com/nnq2z8AHXh
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2025
Last elections
2020 election results
The RJD-led alliance made a strong showing in the 2020 elections, but the NDA narrowly retained power. The BJP won 74 seats out of 110 seats it contested, while its ally the JD(U) won 43 of 115. The RJD fielded candidates for 144 seats and won 75 seats, emerging as the single largest party in 2020. Altogether, the NDA won 125 seats, while the opposition coalition of Mahagathbandhan won 110 seats.
Bypolls
Bypoll held in 8 constituenciesÂ
Along with Bihar, counting of votes for bypolls held in eight assembly seats across six states and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is underway. The eight assembly constituencies are Budgam and Nagrota, both located in Jammu and Kashmir; Rajasthan (Anta); Jharkhand (Ghatsila); Telangana (Jubilee Hills); Punjab (Tarn Taran); Mizoram (Dampa); and Odisha (Nuapada).