PATNA: The Patna District Administration has addressed a viral video showing LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Chaudhary with ink marks on both fingers after voting. The administration explained that the polling staff mistakenly applied ink to her right hand, and after the Presiding Officer's intervention, ink was also applied to her left hand at polling station number 61 in Buddha Colony.

In a statement on social media, the administration clarified, "A video is being circulated on social media regarding ink marks on both fingers of the Honorable MP Smt. Shambhavi after casting her vote. Inquiries were made from the Presiding Officer of Polling Station No. 61, Sant Paul's Primary School, Buddha Colony. He has clarified that the polling staff responsible for applying ink had mistakenly applied it to the finger of the right hand. After the intervention of the Presiding Officer, ink was also applied to the finger of the left hand. It is being clarified that the Honorable MP Smt. Shambhavi cast her vote only at Serial No. 275 of the voter list of Polling Station No. 61."

RJD National Spokesperson Kanchana Yadav alleged voter fraud, claiming that the ink marks indicated that Chaudhary had voted twice. She posted, "This is a whole different level of fraud going on. These are LJP MP Shambhavi Chaudhary. Ink is applied on both hands. Meaning, they voted twice. When this matter came to light, their father Ashok Chaudhary is signaling them with eye gestures. Election Commission, how is all this happening? Who will investigate this?"

The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections took place on November 6, 2025, with a voter turnout of 65.08% across 121 seats in 18 districts. This marks an increase in participation compared to previous elections, with the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections recording a turnout of 57.29% and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at 56.28%. The current election saw a 7.79% increase in voter turnout compared to the 2020 Assembly elections and an 8.8% increase compared to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which includes BJP, JD(U), HAMS, and LJP (RV), is seeking re-election, while the Mahagathbandhan alliance, comprising Congress, RJD, left parties, and VIP, aims to regain power. The newly formed Jan Suraaj party is also contesting more than 200 seats independently. The elections followed a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which faced criticism from various political parties and is set to be implemented in other states and union territories of India.