Patna, 06 November. The biggest festival of democracy has started in Bihar, but with the first phase of voting, the distance between the system and the people has once again been exposed. While in some areas people voted enthusiastically, there was silence in many villages. At some places the slogans of 'No roads, no votes' were echoed, while at other places the machines responded. The first phase of elections has once again shown that to keep the celebration of democracy running smoothly, not only publicity but also a reliable system is necessary.

First phase completed on 121 seats in 18 districts

Voting for the first phase of Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 took place on Thursday on 121 seats in 18 districts. Enthusiasm was visible among the voters since morning. There were long queues at the booths, women and youth arrived in large numbers. However, amid this enthusiasm, incidents of voting boycott, EVM malfunction and administrative negligence also came to light at many places.

Voters boycotted voting in three districts

According to Prabhat Khabar report, voters refused to cast their votes in many villages of Patna, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur districts.

• In Jamalnagar of Sonvarsha assembly, villagers did not vote in protest against the neglect of development works.
• Due to land dispute in Fatuha area of ​​Patna, the entire village stayed away from voting.
• When the road was not built in Kusheshwarsthan of Darbhanga, the villagers raised the slogan 'No road, no vote'.

Despite all the efforts of the administration, the villagers refused to go to the polling booth. At the same time, voters boycotted three booths (161, 162, 170) of Gaighat Assembly of Muzaffarpur due to delay in construction of bridge and road. These incidents highlighted public resentment and distrust of the system.

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Voting stuck due to EVM malfunction, voters upset

EVM machines came to a standstill in many districts with the start of voting.

• Voting remained halted at booth number 196 of Danapur and booth number 316 of Bakhtiyarpur due to technical glitches.
• Voting had to be stopped in Raghopur, Tejashwi Yadav's constituency, due to machine failure at a booth.
• In Madhepura also, voting could start after hours at many centres.

Technical teams repaired the machines, but during this time voters had to wait in the sun, due to which resentment increased.

Officer ill in Fatuha, BJP worker detained in Bihar Sharif

The health of Rajesh, the presiding officer at booth number 254 in Hajipur village of Fatuha Assembly, deteriorated during voting. He was taken to the hospital, where his blood pressure was found to be high. Meanwhile, four BJP workers in Bihar Sharif were detained by the police on charges of distributing slips. After this incident, tension increased between RJD and BJP supporters. The altercation between Assembly Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav and polling officials in Patna Sahib seat was also in the news when he was asked to show the voter card.

Facility not available for disabled voters

In Hilsa assembly constituency of Nalanda district, disabled voters did not get basic facilities like wheelchairs at booth numbers 297 and 298. Many disabled voters had to stand in lines and vote. Despite the instructions of the Commission, this negligence exposes the insensitivity of the administration.

Voting percentage increased, but lack of trust persists

Despite technical glitches and boycotts, voting remained more than 60 percent in most of the districts. There was enthusiasm among women and youth, but voices of protest were also loud in rural areas. The first phase of voting made it clear that the voters of Bihar still believe in democracy, all they want is a transparent and sensitive administration.