Bihar MLC polls recorded significantly higher participation in teachers’ constituencies than in graduates’ seats on Friday, while Patna reported the lowest turnout in both categories. Provisional figures released by the office of the chief electoral officer showed 74.55% voting across four teachers’ constituencies and 43.87% across four graduates’ constituencies.
Polling for eight Bihar Legislative Council seats took place across 933 stations, with 5,32,847 electors eligible to vote and 150 candidates in the contest. The polling was largely peaceful, although authorities reported minor clashes, complaints of voter coercion and an attempted impersonation using fake identity cards.
Saran recorded the highest turnout among the teachers’ constituencies at 87.16%, followed by Darbhanga at 79% and Tirhut at 78.10%. Patna Teachers’ recorded the lowest turnout in that category at 56.89%.
Among the graduates’ constituencies, Kosi registered the highest provisional turnout at 52.51%. Tirhut recorded 42.15% and Darbhanga 42%, while Patna Graduates’ had the lowest turnout at 36.19%.
The figures highlighted a sharper participation gap in the state capital, where both constituencies include a large urban electorate. Election officials said the numbers were provisional and that final figures could vary slightly. The final turnout data was expected by Saturday evening.
The Patna Graduates’ constituency also saw a political dispute involving JD(U). Mokama MLA Anant Singh campaigned for Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh against JD(U)’s official nominee and incumbent MLC Neeraj Kumar. A scuffle broke out near a polling station in Mokama between supporters of the two factions, after which police took five people into custody.
In another Patna-related development, police detained former JD(U) functionary Arvind Singh, also known as Chhotu Singh, at Jakkanpur police station for several hours. Police said he was questioned after intelligence inputs indicated that he might disturb public order during polling.
Authorities also reported an attempted electoral fraud at Miller School polling booth in Patna. Three employees of a local hotel—Shankar, a Nepal resident, Anil Kumar and Alok Kumar—were arrested for allegedly trying to vote using fake identity cards. Police said artificial intelligence tools had been used to alter the photographs on the cards.
Other incidents included a minor scuffle in Muzaffarpur after independent candidate Bhushan Jha was asked to leave a booth and allegations that supporters had manhandled polling officials. In Phulwarisharif, RJD and Jan Suraaj workers created a commotion over alleged pressure on voters to support the JD(U) candidate.
The chief electoral officer’s office said it received 13 formal complaints during polling and that all were resolved promptly. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the ruling coalition of misusing government machinery and enabling voter impersonation. JD(U) functionary Shyam Rajak rejected the allegations and said polling had remained smooth.
Counting of votes for all eight seats is scheduled to begin on October 27.
