Patna registers historic 58% turnout as youth, seniors drive Phase-1 polls

Patna: Voting in the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections concluded with a historic 58.12% turnout in Patna district, driven by an enthusiastic participation from both young voters and senior citizens even in the urban constituencies. The district average of 58.12% is a clear rise from 51.12% in 2020 as polling stations in Bankipur, Digha, Kumhrar and Patna Sahib hummed with energy throughout the day.

In Digha, the polling percentage reached 41.4%, up from 36.86% in 2020. Bankipur recorded 40.97%, compared to 35.85% five years ago. Kumhrar saw 39.57% voter turnout, an increase from 35.22% in 2020, while the highest jump was in Patna Sahib, where 59.93% of voters cast their ballots, up from 52.22% in the last election.




The first-time voters stood shoulder-to-shoulder with elders, each step into the booth marked by quiet resolve and cautious hope. Despite the usual logistical hiccups, the mood reflected a shared desire for jobs, development and accountability.

Sarita Kumari (20), a first-time voter, flaunted her inked finger at a polling booth in Shastri Nagar and took selfies with her friend. Better education, a better system and employment opportunities, she said, were the issues she kept in mind while voting.

A resident of Ashiana, college student K P Mishra (19), who voted at booth number 104 in the Digha assembly constituency for the first time, said he was thrilled. “Bihar has transformed significantly from the past. I remember the situation when I was in school. And now, I am doing graduation and truly enjoy living here,” he said.

Long queues were formed at all the constituencies under the watchful eyes of security personnel, with voters stepping forward with a sense of purpose. “We have waited too long for real change — jobs for youth, better roads and reliable power. One job per family promise is luring. We want a better future for our kids,” said Sharad Kumar, a 55-year-old shopkeeper, at a polling station in Gulzarbagh.

“Determination is good, but we have seen promises fade,” observed a 68-year-old retiree, Rajesh Gupta, his words resonating with a group nearby at a polling station near Patna Sahib Gurdwara. “I took a holy dip in river Ganga at 5am, before voting for a change,” he said.

Seema Kaur, another voter, felt the mood was festive — like Gurpurab met the elections.

Iqbal Ahmed, who cast his vote in the Patna Sahib constituency, urged for additional reforms to Bihar’s education system. He noted that securing admission to Patna University — among the state's premier institutions — remains a cherished goal for students. In his student days, entry demanded significant effort, yet nowadays, many seats go unfilled.

Meanwhile, two women, adorned with turbans, rode on horseback to cast their votes near Congress Maidan in Kadamkuan. Carrying posters that encouraged voting, they championed a powerful message of women’s empowerment.

On the other hand, hundreds of people from Digha area boarded boats and reached Nakta diara, where they waited in line for hours to cast their votes. Anjali Devi, a resident of Yaduvanshi Nagar, said she took a boat at 10am and returned by 2pm. “Had there been a bridge, I would have gone by car,” she said.

The mood shifted from subdued mornings to animated discussions by midday, as families arrived together, children in tow. Women voters, in particular, appeared energised, chatting about empowerment schemes and local development. “This time, we feel heard,” remarked Sunita Devi, a homemaker in her thirties, clutching her voter ID.

Meanwhile, tensions flickered over two women allegedly denied votes at a Veterinary College booth, sparking brief protests. Shreya Mehta fumed, “The BLO never handed me my voter slip, and now they’re blaming me. They said download it online, but at the booth, they demand the physical copy.” Anupama Sharma, another voter who was denied a vote, said, “I told them my serial number, but they did not allow me to vote.”

Responding to the issue, Patna district magistrate Thiyagrajan S M told this newspaper that the negligent issue was blown up on social media. “It was just about two people. There was some glitch. We talked to the presiding officer and the matter was sorted out. No issue was reported from any polling booths across the district. The voting went off peacefully,” he said.

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