As the counting of votes for the Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections 2025 unfolds on November 14, all eyes are on the Election Commission of India (ECI) to see if it can restore faith in its processes amid swirling controversies. With early trends showing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), taking a lead in several seats, questions persist about whether the results will reflect the true will of the people or succumb to the fears of manipulation that have haunted Indian elections. The elections, held in two phases on November 6 and 11, recorded a historic voter turnout of 67.13 percent, the highest ever in Bihar, signaling strong public engagement. Yet, opposition parties, particularly the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan, have raised alarms over potential rigging, voter intimidation, and deletions from electoral rolls. Public fears stem from recent allegations by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who accused the system of “sarkar chori” or government theft, drawing parallels to claimed fraud in Haryana’s elections. He highlighted how one in eight voters might have been affected by manipulations, extending these concerns to Bihar. Similarly, RJD leaders have warned of a “Nepal-like situation” if vote rigging occurs during counting, pointing to deliberate slowdowns in voting at strongholds and voter intimidation. Congress has cried foul over 6.5 million missing voters, suggesting a targeted erosion of opposition support bases. These claims have put the ECI’s credibility under intense scrutiny, as noted by the BBC, which described it as facing a major test over voter roll revisions and vote theft denials. Legal expert Prashant Bhushan has criticized the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, alleging it led to undue deletions that could skew results. On the positive side, the ECI has reported zero repolls and zero appeals during the SIR process, emphasizing its commitment to fair polls. It has also exhorted observers to ensure peaceful, inducement-free voting, countering speculation with clarifications on data security and impartiality. As of early counting at 9 AM, trends from the Economic Times indicate the NDA leading, but the full picture is yet to emerge for all 243 seats. Exit polls had predicted a NDA victory, but opposition figures like Sachin Pilot have cautioned that any perceived rigging could destabilize the central government. For the ECI to prove its credibility, transparency in counting, swift addressing of complaints, and adherence to protocols will be key. If the results align with high turnout and lack major disputes, it could bolster trust; otherwise, it risks deepening skepticism in India’s democratic framework. This moment is pivotal not just for Bihar but for the nation’s electoral integrity.
Dive into the high-stakes Bihar Election Results 2025: Can the Election Commission silence doubts on its integrity amid allegations of voter fraud and rigging? Uncover real-time trends, public fears, and expert analysis that could change everything!
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