Bihar Awaits Verdict: Will Nitish Kumar Secure Fifth Term or Face Political Reset?

Bihar stands at a political crossroads today as vote counting begins across 46 centres to determine the outcome of the 2025 Assembly elections. The verdict will decide whether Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the state's longest-serving leader, can secure a record fifth term with the BJP-led NDA or if a change of guard awaits after two decades of near-continuous rule.

Image Source: Startup Bihar

Voting was conducted in two phases on November 6 and 11, drawing a historic voter turnout of 67.13 percent—the highest in the state’s electoral history. More than 7.45 crore registered voters cast their ballots across 243 Assembly constituencies, choosing among 2,616 candidates. 

The Election Commission of India has deployed 243 returning officers and an equal number of counting observers, alongside over 18,000 counting agents, to oversee the process.

Strongroom security has been tightened with round-the-clock surveillance and Central Armed Paramilitary Forces guarding the EVMs and VVPATs.

Initial trends are expected by mid-morning, with final results likely by evening. In a surprise move, the Election Commission removed the returning officer of the Chenari seat a day before counting, replacing him with a new official. 

No official reason was provided, raising eyebrows across political circles.

Women voters have emerged as a crucial force in this election. According to the Election Commission, female turnout reached 69.04% in the first phase and soared to 74.03% in the second, far surpassing male participation. 

The BJP claimed the figures reflect growing confidence among women in the NDA's development agenda, calling it a “historic transformation” in Bihar’s political landscape.

Union Minister Nityanand Rai and NDA leaders have expressed confidence in returning to power, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and Nitish Kumar’s governance record as key factors. 

Bihar minister Santosh Kumar Suman said the public had voted “decisively” for development and good governance, brushing aside opposition claims of an upset.

The opposition INDIA bloc, however, has rejected the exit poll projections. Congress MP Imraan Masood and Purnea MP Pappu Yadav claimed the Mahagathbandhan was on course to form the government, citing "ground feedback" and warning against attempts to disrupt the counting process. 

Tejashwi Yadav, the coalition’s chief ministerial candidate, cautioned party workers to remain vigilant and alert during counting, accusing the ruling alliance of past irregularities.

Security in Patna has been heightened, with the District Magistrate extending the Model Code of Conduct until November 16 and banning victory processions. 

All 14 constituencies in the capital region are being counted at AN College under strict protocols.

The 2025 Assembly elections are the first in Bihar since the post-Covid redrawing of electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. 

The Election Commission has called it a “model election,” with zero repolls reported across the state.

By nightfall, Bihar will know whether its political continuity will remain intact or if a realignment has begun.