With Phase I of voting, can Bihar end its persistently low voter turnout

Poor electoral participation due to high migration, low trust

As voters in Bihar cast their votes in the first phase of the elections for Bihar Assembly on Thursday, all eyes would be on the electoral turnout in the latest elections. Though it is one of the most politically charged states in India, Bihar has consistently recorded low voter turnout figures, far below the national average and that of its neighbours, not just due to large-scale migration, but also a widening gap of trust between voters and politicians.

Despite being known as one of India’s most politically charged states where politics has spread its roots in every aspect of life, when it comes to the fundamentals of political democracy, Bihar’s voters have consistently shown little interest in turning out when and where it matters the most, voting booth on the election day.

For decades, Bihar has witnessed voter turnout figures that fall short of expectations and lag behind most of its neighbours and the national average.

According to data from the Election Commission of India, over the past decades, Bihar’s voter turnout has persistently remained close to or below 60 pc, never matching the surging figures seen in West Bengal, which regularly exceeds 80 pc, or even the more moderate high-turnout states like Jharkhand 68.34 pc in 2024 and Uttar Pradesh 62.2 pc in 2024.

Also Read: Bihar polls: Opposition accuses BJP of politicising military action

While the Mandal movement in the 1990s saw a brief rise in voter participation, and the 2000 Lok Sabha elections registered a high of 62.6 pc, subsequent years have seen a decline. The two landmark 2005 Vidhan Sabha elections that ended the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s 15-year rule were marked by historically low turnouts only 46.5 pc and 45.8 pc, respectively. Even the recent 2020 Assembly polls recorded a turnout of 57.3 pc, underscoring the persistent issue.

A significant factor contributing to Bihar’s low voter turnout is the large-scale migration of its population-seeking livelihood outside the state. Despite employment generation being a common focus in political party manifestos, successive governments have struggled to create sufficient job opportunities within Bihar. This has forced many residents to work in other states, making them unavailable to vote in person on Election Day.

“The major reason behind Bihar’s low voter turnout is the migration of people to earn their livelihood. Despite employment being the focus of manifestoes of different political parties, the governments have failed to create jobs at scale leading to the migration of people earning livelihood in other states of India. When election arrives, these folks are not available to cast their vote in person leading to lower voter turnout,”  Abhishek Paswan, a 32-year-old Engineer  from Muzaffarpur in Bihar, tells Media India Group.

“The constant failure of delivering on the promises made by politicians regardless of their party have left the voters disappointed – giving them no motive to cast their votes by going to distant polling booths in interior areas,” Paswan adds.

Also Read: BJP’s u-turn on caste census has Bihar polls in mind

“In Bihar, most of the population coming from middle and lower-income families, job opportunities are very limited. This drives many people to migrate to other states for work or education. For them, taking time off to return home and cast a vote becomes difficult and expensive,” Rafat Bano, a 42-year-old housewife from Patna, capital of Bihar, tells Media India Group.

Another factor contributing to Bihar’s voter turnout challenges is the widespread disconnect between the electorate and their political representatives. Many voters feel neglected as politicians often fail to maintain consistent engagement with their constituencies after elections, leading to disillusionment and mistrust.

“The lack of trust in political leaders results from their failure to deliver on promises and maintain a consistent presence in their constituencies after elections. This disconnect leaves voters feeling neglected and disillusioned, reducing their motivation to participate in the electoral process. True change will come only when candidates engage sincerely with their communities’ year-round, building accountability and trust,” Paswan adds.

“Meanwhile, many voters feel disappointed by politicians who make false promises appearing one way before elections and changing after. Today, people are more educated and understand that securing their own careers is crucial, often more than choosing leaders who have failed to create real opportunities. This growing awareness contributes to Bihar’s lower voter turnout,” Bano adds.

Economic hardships, including high unemployment and poverty rates, significantly contribute to Bihar’s lower voter turnout. Financial struggles often push citizens to prioritise immediate survival over electoral participation, reducing their motivation to vote. This economic disenfranchisement compounds the overall disengagement seen in the state’s electorate.

Also Read: Election Commission in the dock over Bihar Elections 2025

“In my state, there is not a single IT industry in my hometown for job opportunities, so I moved to Delhi a few years ago. Many people shift to other states for work and get busy with their jobs, making it difficult for them to return home and cast their votes. As families settle in different parts of India, this also lowers the voter turnout percentage,” Iffat Naaz, a 25-year-old web developer who lives in Delhi, tells Media India Group.