Bihar witnessed its “highest-ever” voter turnout on Thursday, as nearly 65 per cent of 3.75 crore electors cast their votes across 121 constituencies in the first phase of the assembly elections, news agency PTI reported. The turnout marks the start of a closely watched, high-stakes contest seen as a litmus test for the ruling National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA’s) popularity.

The Election Commission described the polling as peaceful and “festive,” with a record 64.66 per cent of voters exercising their franchise.