Women outshine men in voter turnout across most districts of Bihar elections 2025

Women voters in Bihar turned out in significantly higher numbers than men during the recent assembly elections, marking a new milestone in the state’s electoral history, according to data released by the Election Commission (EC).

In as many as seven districts, women outvoted men by over 14 percentage points, while in ten other districts, the gap exceeded 10 points. Patna was the only district where men recorded a higher turnout 60.05% of men cast their votes compared to 57.88% of women.

Bihar’s 243 assembly constituencies went to polls in two phases, on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14. The state recorded an overall turnout of 67.13%, the highest ever. Women voters led this surge, registering 71.78% turnout, while men stood at 62.98%.

Among Bihar’s 38 districts, Supaul reported the widest gender gap at 20.71 percentage points, with 83.69% women voting compared to 62.98% men. Other districts where women voters outperformed men by large margins included Kishanganj (19.5), Madhubani (18.4), Gopalganj (17.72), Araria (14.43), Darbhanga (14.41), and Madhepura (14.24).

Districts where women’s turnout exceeded men’s by more than 10 percentage points were Siwan (13.83), Purnea (13.36), Sheohar (12.48), Sitamarhi (12.43), Saharsa (12.37), Purvi Champaran (11.13), Paschim Champaran (11.03), Khagaria (10.66), Samastipur (10.64), and Banka (10.53).

In the first phase of polling, 69.04% of women cast their votes compared to 61.56% of men, while in the second phase, women’s turnout rose further to 74.56%, with men at 64.41%.

Kishanganj recorded the highest women voter turnout in Bihar at 88.57%, followed by Katihar (84.13%), Supaul (83.69%), Purnea (83.66%), Araria (78.27%), Paschim Champaran (77.74%), and Purvi Champaran (77.49%). However, despite this overwhelming participation, only about 10–12% of all contesting candidates in the Bihar Assembly elections were women, highlighting a stark disparity between women’s voter engagement and their political representation.

A total of 7.45 crore electors were eligible to vote in the polls. Of these, 3.75 crore (1.98 crore men and 1.76 crore women) were eligible in the first phase, and 3.7 crore (1.95 crore men and 1.74 crore women) in the second phase.

Compared to earlier elections, the rise in women’s participation has been remarkable. In the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections, women’s turnout was 59.7%, slightly higher than men’s 56.8%. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, 63.5% of women in Bihar voted, compared to 60.3% of men. This year’s sharp increase to 71.78% shows an accelerating trend of women’s growing involvement in the democratic process.

Nationally, Kerala continues to hold the record for the highest women voter turnout in recent elections, consistently crossing 78–80%, setting a benchmark for gender-inclusive electoral participation.

Encouraging women to vote is vital for a balanced democracy. High female voter turnout reflects social empowerment, awareness, and inclusivity, serving as an indicator of progress in education, gender equality, and civic consciousness. When women vote in large numbers, they not only influence policy direction on issues like health, education, and safety but also strengthen accountability in governance.

The surge in women’s participation in Bihar’s 2025 elections underscores an important societal shift, one where women are emerging as decisive voices in shaping the political and developmental future of the state.