Women Voters Emerge as the Decisive Force in Bihar Polls

Patna, November 12, 2025:Once again, women have taken center stage in Bihar’s electoral battle, emerging as a decisive force in determining the outcome of the state’s high-stakes contest. According to data released by the Election Commission, voter turnout among women stood at an impressive 71.6%, surpassing the 62.8% turnout recorded among men.

In the first phase, women’s participation was 69.04%, which surged to 79.04% in the second phase — a remarkable increase compared to 56% in the 2020 elections. Analysts say this surge underscores not only the growing political awareness among women but also their determination to shape the state’s governance priorities.

Two key factors appear to have driven women to the polling booths in large numbers — economic empowerment and personal security. Both the ruling and opposition alliances had placed women’s welfare at the heart of their campaigns. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav promised a direct assistance of ₹30,000 to women, along with enhanced support and permanent benefits for self-help groups known as Jeevika Didis. On the other hand, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has long enjoyed strong backing from women voters, pledged schemes such as the ambitious “One Crore Lakhpati Didis” initiative and financial aid of up to ₹2 lakh for women entrepreneurs.

However, beyond financial incentives, law and order has emerged as a critical factor influencing women’s choices. The BJP-led NDA effectively framed the election as a choice between continuity and chaos, warning that a victory for Tejashwi Yadav could mark a return to the “jungle raj” associated with his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure. The fear of deteriorating safety conditions, particularly for young women studying, working, or running small businesses, appears to have resonated strongly with voters. Many mothers, officials say, were motivated by the desire to ensure a secure future for their daughters.

Sensing this sentiment, the opposition Mahagathbandhan sought to counter the narrative by repeatedly asserting that Bihar under Tejashwi Yadav would have “zero tolerance for crime.” In the campaign’s final phase, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was brought in to bolster the Congress’s appeal among women, questioning whether Nitish Kumar’s government could still be trusted on issues of women’s safety.

What remains clear is that the women of Bihar are no longer passive participants in the democratic process. They have emerged as independent decision-makers, unafraid to defy traditional household voting patterns. As one political observer noted, “The women of Bihar are no longer voting as directed — they’re voting as determined.”

Whether it is economic promises or the assurance of safety, this election has made one thing certain: Bihar’s women are now the true arbiters of political power.