Shambhavi Choudhary shows her inked finger after casting her vote. Photo: @Sham4Samastipur
The Patna district administration on Saturday clarified a video circulating on social media regarding ink marks on both fingers of LJP MP (Ram Vilas) Shambhavi Choudhary after she cast her vote.
In a post on X, the Patna district administration said that the polling staff mistakenly put ink on her right hand and after the presiding officer intervened, the ink was also put on her left hand.
Bihar Assembly Elections LIVE on 8 November 2025
“A video is circulating on social media regarding ink marks on both fingers of Hon’ble Member of Parliament Smt. Shambhavi after she cast her vote. In this regard queries were raised to the Presiding Officer of Polling Station No. 61, Sant Paul’s Primary School, Buddha Colony (Northern Room of Main Section) 182 District Assembly Constitency-Bankipur.
“He clarified that the polling staff responsible for applying the ink mistakenly applied it on the finger of the right hand. After the intervention of the presiding officer, the ink was also applied on the finger of the left hand. It is clarified that the Hon’ble Member of Parliament Smt. Shambhavi cast her vote only for serial number 275 of the voter list of 61 Colon School, S. Pauly, Primary Polling Station, S. Paul. (North Room Main Section) of constituency 182-Bankipur,” the district administration added.
Earlier, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) national spokesperson Kanchana Yadav alleged voter fraud that ink marks were found on both fingers of Shambhavi Choudhary, indicating that the LJP MP voted twice in the polling booth.
“This is a whole different level of fraud. This is LJP MP Shambhavi Choudhary. The ink is on both hands. It means they voted twice. When this matter came to light, their father Ashok Choudhary is signaling them with eye gestures. Election Commission, how is this all happening? Who will investigate?” written by Mr. Yadav in X.
Meanwhile, 65.08% voters participated in the first phase of assembly elections on November 6, 2025. Bihar Chief Minister said that the first phase of assembly elections was successfully conducted on November 6, 2025 in 121 seats in 18 districts of the state.
According to the CEO, the average voter turnout for the 2020 Bihar Assembly general election was 57.29 percent, while the turnout for the 2024 Lok Sabha general election was 56.28%. This reflects an overall increase in voter participation in the state compared to the previous two elections.
The Chief Executive of Bihar said that this year’s elections in the state saw a 7.79% increase in voter turnout compared to the 2020 Bihar Assembly General Election. In addition, there was an 8.8% increase in voter turnout compared to the 2024 Lok Sabha General Election.
While the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising the BJP, JD(U), HAMS, LJP (RV) and others, is trying to retain power for a second term, the Mahagathbandhan, comprising the Congress, RJD, Left parties and VIPs, is trying to get back to power. Jan Suraaj’s party also made its debut in the election campaign, which itself applied for more than 200 seats.
The elections were held following the recently concluded Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties expressed strong reservations about the exercise. SIR is to be conducted in other states and union territories of the country.
Published – 8 Nov 2025 13:07 IST
