Patna, India - Voting for the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 has commenced today, November 11, across 122 constituencies spread over 20 districts. Approximately 3.7 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this crucial phase, which will determine whether the NDA or the I.N.D.I.A. bloc will govern Bihar for the next five years.

The polling began at 7:00 AM and will continue until 5:00 PM, with slight variations in timings for sensitive areas. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has set up 45,399 polling stations across the state, with 40,073 in rural areas and 5,326 in urban areas, to accommodate the large electorate. Among these, 595 are all-women-managed polling stations, 316 are model polling stations, and 91 are managed by Persons with Disabilities (PwD).

A total of 1,302 candidates are contesting in this phase, vying for the opportunity to represent their constituencies in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. Key candidates in the fray include former Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad (Katihar), former speaker Uday Narain Choudhary (Sikandra), and several ex-ministers such as Vinay Bihari (Lauriya), Narayan Prasad (Nautan), and Pramod Kumar (Motihari). Renu Devi, a senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister, is also a prominent candidate.

Security has been significantly beefed up across the state to ensure peaceful and fair polling. Over 4 lakh security personnel have been deployed, with extra vigilance at 8,491 critical polling station locations. Authorities have identified 13,651 hamlets in the 122 constituencies as 'vulnerable'.

The second phase includes Assembly constituencies in Magadh, Mithilanchal, Seemanchal, Shahabad, and Tirhut regions. Of the 122 constituencies, 101 are general, 19 are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), and two for Scheduled Tribes (ST).

In addition to the Bihar elections, by-elections are also being held today for eight assembly constituencies across six states and one Union Territory. These include Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa in Mizoram, and Nuapada in Odisha.

The first phase of polling on November 6 saw a "highest ever" voter turnout of over 65 percent across 121 assembly constituencies. The results of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 are expected to be announced on November 14.