Overview
- As of around 10:30 a.m., Election Commission data showed the NDA leading in 172 of 243 seats, including BJP 73 and JD(U) 77, with the opposition bloc behind in the mid‑50s.
- Turnout reached roughly 67 percent statewide, with women’s participation near 71 percent versus about 63 percent for men, creating an 8–9 point gender gap.
- Researchers analyzing mobile location data estimate a net return of about 3.1 million migrants during the festival season, a factor they say materially lifted participation.
- Early tallies indicate the Congress is underperforming within the Mahagathbandhan with leads in only single‑digit to low‑teens seats, while Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj shows leads in about two.
- Counting began with postal ballots at 8:00 a.m. and EVMs at 8:30 a.m., overseen by 243 Returning Officers and 243 Counting Observers under extensive security.