Bihar election results 2025: NDA pushes ahead as BJP–JD(U) gain quick leads while RJD slips and struggles to keep pace

Bihar began counting votes for all 243 Assembly constituencies at 8 AM, with early trends showing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) pulling ahead of the Mahagathbandhan (MGB). As numbers continue to shift through the morning, counting officials, observers and party agents remain stationed across centres, while voter turnout and exit poll projections add further context to a closely watched election.Early numbers show the NDA establishing a lead across multiple seats. TV channels placed the alliance ahead in 150 seats against the MGB’s 74 in the first round of updates. NDTV trends indicated the NDA crossing the majority mark of 122 relatively early in the count.According to ECI’s initial figures, the BJP was ahead in 25 seats and the JD(U) in 18. The RJD opened with leads in 14 seats. Another set of channel-based trends showed the BJP leading in 40 seats, JD(U) in 24, the RJD in 33 and the Congress in seven. In some earlier snapshots, the NDA was ahead on eight seats while the MGB was leading on five.Individual constituency updates included BJP’s Nitish Mishra leading in Jhanjharpur, RJD’s Brajkishore Yadav ahead in Khajauli, BJP’s Sujit Paswan leading in Rajnagar and JD(U)’s Sudhanshu ahead in Harlakhi.The RJD, which is contesting 143 seats, is in competition with the BJP through much of the early counting. Some early updates showed the two parties nearly tied, with the RJD leading in 56 seats and the BJP in 55. The JD(U) also held strong with leads in 45 seats.The Congress, contesting 61 seats, appeared to be facing another difficult cycle. Early figures showed it leading in only seven seats, falling behind its previous tally. The CPI(ML) Liberation was ahead in three of its 20 seats, while the CPI led in one of nine. The VIP held a lead in one of its 12 seats.Before counting began, most exit polls had suggested an NDA victory, with one predicting a close contest. Tejashwi Yadav rejected these estimates, stating that the Mahagathbandhan would win with a large margin. As early trends favoured the NDA, parties monitored shifts carefully.Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) is contesting for a renewed mandate on the back of his long tenure. Whether he returns as Chief Minister for a possible fifth term depends on how the trend lines settle through the day. For the Mahagathbandhan, anti-incumbency and employment promises were central campaign themes.The Election Commission reported that counting is being conducted by 243 Returning Officers in the presence of 243 Counting Observers. It noted no repolls and no discrepancies during scrutiny—the first time in recent years such an outcome has been recorded.Polling was held in two phases on November 6 and 11. Bihar saw a voter turnout of 67.13%, its highest ever. Women voters registered 71.6% turnout, ahead of men at 62.8%. Bihar’s scale is substantial, with 74.2 million registered voters and 8.5 lakh polling staff supported by more than 2,600 polling agents. Sixteen international delegates also observed the process.Postal ballots were counted first, and EVM counting began at 8:30 AM.Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj, contesting 239 seats, surprised observers by briefly holding leads in three constituencies. Exit polls had predicted a weak debut, with some giving it only one seat. One survey projected nearly 10% vote share, which could influence tight margins between the NDA and MGB.As counting continues across all 243 seats, Bihar awaits clarity on whether the NDA will maintain its early advantage or whether later rounds narrow the gap. The full picture will emerge as EVM tallies progress through the day.