Bihar Phase 1 Polls: EC Data shows Lakhisarai Records Lowest Early Turnout at 7%

Lakhisarai stunned everyone with the lowest early turnout at just 7% after four hours of polling, as per Election Commission data. This BJP stronghold, held by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha since 2005, is under intense scrutiny in the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections. The seat has been a reliable fortress for the party in the last three polls, but the sluggish voter response has sparked whispers of discontent among local cadres. Sinha’s dominance, built on consistent wins, now faces questions as rural voters appear hesitant, possibly signaling deeper issues with governance or campaign fatigue in the region.

Sinha, aiming for his fifth straight win after a 2020 victory with 74,212 votes and a 10,500-vote margin over Congress' Amresh Kumar, faces familiar and fresh rivals. Amresh Kumar returns for Congress, banking on anti-incumbency and grassroots mobilization, while Suraj Kumar from Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party adds a new twist to the contest. Kishor’s entry has energized younger voters and first-time participants, creating a three-way split that could erode BJP’s traditional vote bank. Analysts note that JSP’s focus on education and employment resonates strongly in Lakhisarai’s semi-urban pockets, making this one of the most unpredictable battles in Phase 1.

In stark contrast, Saharsa led the pack with 15.27% turnout, boosting BJP's Alok Ranjan Jha in his bid for a third term. The former minister battles Indrajeet Prasad Gupta of the Mahagathbandhan's Indian Inclusive Party and JSP's Kishor Kumar in a heated triangular fight. Notably, voting resumed in the Naxal-hit Bhim Bandh area after a 20-year gap, drawing heavy security and symbolic significance. The high participation reflects strong community engagement and trust in the electoral process, with women and elderly voters turning out in large numbers despite logistical challenges in remote hamlets.

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By 9am, Phase 1 recorded 13.13% overall turnout across 121 constituencies in 18 districts, involving 37.5 million voters. Saharsa topped districts, followed by Begusarai (14.60%), Muzaffarpur (14.38%), Vaishali (14.30%), and Khagaria (14.15%), while Patna lagged at 11.22%. Urban apathy in the capital contrasted sharply with rural enthusiasm in northern Bihar, highlighting a growing divide in civic participation. Most districts hovered between 12% and 14%, indicating moderate but uneven momentum as the day progressed under tight security.

Polling kicked off at 7am and runs until 6pm, with early closure at 5pm in sensitive zones amid heightened security. This phase covers nearly half of Bihar's 243 seats, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle. Over 2,000 polling stations were classified as critical, with drones, paramilitary forces, and quick-response teams deployed to prevent disruptions. As the sun climbs higher, all eyes remain on whether afternoon surges can offset the morning slump, especially in underperforming strongholds like Lakhisarai.

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