Mokama Election 2025 Voting: 62.16% Voter Turnout Recorded As Polling For Phase 1 Concludes

Defence Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the NDA aims to bring about a change in the system and remove corruption as the first phase of polling for 121 seats is underway in Bihar.

Addressing a rally in East Champaran in support of NDA candidate from Kesaria constituency, JD(U)'s Shalini Mishra, the Defence Minister referred to the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana (MMRY), announced by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar just before the announcement of the Bihar polls. He added that Bihar is marching towards progress.

Kesaria will undergo polling in the second phase of the elections on November 11.

The voter turnout for the Mokama assembly constituency was recorded at 62.16 per cent at 5 PM.

A day after levelling fresh allegations of "voter fraud" in the 2024 Haryana assembly elections, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister amid the first phase of polling in 121 constituencies underway in Bihar.

"Wherever they are contesting elections, they are winning elections by stealing votes," Gandhi said at a public meeting here while referring to his press conference on Wednesday. "Bihar needs to progress again. The world's best universities and hospitals should be established in Bihar. Bihar should become a global hub for tourism and industry. But Prime Minister Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cannot do this," he added. 

While campaigning in Madhubani, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "PM Modi and Nitish Kumar have just deposited Rs 10,000 into the bank accounts of JEEViKA didis. Lalu's son is saying to take it back. Don't be afraid, JEEViKA didi. Not only Lalu and his son, but even their third generation will not be able to take back this money. On the contrary, if you form an NDA government and get Vinod Narayan elected, we will deposit another Rs 5 lakh into your bank account within two years."

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha alleged that the protesters, who threw slippers and stones and raised “murdabad” slogans while blocking his convoy in Lakhisarai, were “goons backed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).”

Speaking to news agency ANI, Sinha said, “These are the goons of RJD. The NDA government is coming back to power in Bihar. We will run bulldozers on their chest.”

ALSO READ: Bihar Deputy CM Accuses RJD-Backed Goons Of Convoy Attack In Lakhisarai, Warns Of 'Bulldozer Action'. 

Voter turnout stood at 55.12 per cent at 3 PM in Mokama assembly constituency.

Regarding the attack on Deputy CM Vijay Singh's car in Lakhisarai, RJD candidate Veena Devi said, "He himself orchestrates it. He gets it done to ensure that his vote share increases."

She further added, "My entire family is here and together we have cast our vote."

RJD candidate from Mokama, Veena Devi, cast her vote at a polling booth in Mokama. She encouraged voters to exercise their democratic right and participate in large numbers.

Burqa-clad women voters in Bihar's Darbhanga have expressed satisfaction with the Election Commission of India's (ECI) rule to confirm the identity of voters having their faces covered, saying that this rule will prevent voter fraud and disallow people from voting in someone else's name.

Along with Lakhisarai SP Ajay Kumar, Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha heads to a polling booth in Khoriari village. The Deputy CM claimed that his polling agent was turned away from the booth. His car was surrounded by RJD supporters and stones were pelted as he arrived here at the village.

A Danapur localite, Diara, said that she was unable to cast her vote because she was unable to cross the water due to the unavailability of a bridge. "We are waiting for the boat. A bridge is needed for ambulances and school buses as well," she added.

During a public gathering in Araria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the massive voter turnout in various constituencies of Phase 1. "Today, the first phase of voting is taking place to develop Bihar. Stunning pictures are coming from different corners of Bihar on social media. Long lines have been forming at polling stations since the morning. Mothers, sisters, and daughters are coming out in large numbers to vote. There is unprecedented enthusiasm among the youth of Bihar as well. I congratulate all the voters. I appeal to the people to come out and cast their votes," he said. 

According to political experts, the direction of the Bhumihar vote will likely be the key to the electoral trend in Mokama. Both Veena Devi (RJD candidate), wife of former MP Suraj Bhan Singh, and Anant Singh, the JDU candidate, come from the Bhumihar caste. 

ALSO READ: Mokama Election: Will Anant Singh’s Arrest In Dular Chand Murder Case Unite Bhumihar Votes? Experts Share Insight

The voter turnout in Mokama has increased to 26.80 per cent at 11 AM.

Union Minister and founder of the HAM party, Jitan Ram Manjhi, hailed Nitish Kumar's tenure, highlighting that there have been no caste riots or religious unrest under his rule. He further said, "An incident occurred in Mokama; even then, we did not hesitate to put people from our own side behind bars when required. Nitish Kumar’s basic principle is that he neither frames anyone nor protects anyone unfairly."

Voters are queuing up in larger numbers to cast their vote at the polling booth at Mamrakhabad in Mokama constituency early in the morning. 

RJD candidate from Mokama, Veena Devi, urged electors to vote peacefully during the 1st Phase of Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. "Our only appeal to all is to vote peacefully, stay calm, and not be afraid of anyone. Maintain peace and cast your vote responsibly," she said.

Mokama recorded a voter turnout of 13.01 per cent till 9 AM. 

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate from Mokama, Veena Devi and her husband and former MP Surajbhan Singh offered prayers at a temple on the polling day in Mokama. The RJD candidate urged the voters to come out in large numbers and vote without 'fear' and 'hesitation'. 

The list of candidates fielded from Mokama:

- Anant Singh (JDU)

- Veena Devi (RJD)

- Piyush Priyadarshi (JSP)