Bihar Election 2025: PM Modi urges new voters to participate in the ‘festival of democracy’

New Delhi: As the first phase of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 commenced on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to participate with enthusiasm in what he described as the “festival of democracy”, reminding them, “First voting, then refreshments.”

In a post on X, the Prime Minister appealed to citizens, particularly first-time voters, to exercise their democratic right responsibly and set an example of active civic engagement.

“Today in Bihar marks the first phase of the festival of democracy. My appeal to all voters in this phase of the assembly elections is to vote with full enthusiasm. My special congratulations to all the young citizens of the state who are voting for the first time. Remember, first voting, then refreshments!” Modi wrote.

Polling is underway for 121 constituencies across 18 districts, marking the beginning of a high-stakes political contest in the state.

More than 3.75 crore voters are eligible to decide the fate of 1,314 candidates, including 122 women. Voting began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, although polling in certain sensitive areas, including Simri Bakhtiyarpur, Mahishi, Tarapur, Munger, Jamalpur, and parts of Suryagarha, will conclude an hour earlier due to security concerns.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has implemented extensive arrangements to ensure free and fair polling. All 45,324 polling stations are under 100 per cent live webcasting for real-time monitoring. Additionally, 121 general observers, 18 police observers, and 33 expenditure observers have been deployed to supervise the process.

Security has been tightened, with Central Armed Paramilitary Forces and state police personnel stationed across all polling centres.

Promoting inclusivity, the ECI has also set up 926 all-women-managed booths, 107 Divyang (differently-abled) booths, and 320 model polling stations equipped with enhanced facilities for voters.

IANS