Manihari Bihar Assembly Election 2025 Date and Candidate List (Photo: File)
Manihari is one of the most picturesque constituencies in Bihar's Katihar district, which occupies a pride of place in the state's political map. Along the eastern banks of the Ganga, it was reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates since 2008 and falls under the Katihar Lok Sabha seat.
A constituency known for its tribal heritage, river-based economy and strong historical roots has more often than not voted for leaders who strike a balance between development with local identity.
Manihari will go into polls during Phase 2 of the Bihar polls on November 11, 2025. The counting of votes is scheduled to be held on November 14, 2025. This election could test long-standing political loyalties in the region as Congress is seeking to retain the seat and the NDA is trying to break through it.
In the 2020 Bihar Assembly election, Manohar Prasad Singh of the Indian National Congress (INC) won the seat with a margin of 21,209 votes, thus retaining the seat since 2010. Singh’s back to back victories highlight the Congress’s firm grip on this constituency since its reservation for Scheduled Tribes.
The polling in Manihari will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Necessary security and flood preparedness arrangements are expected in every low-lying as well as in riverbank areas. Voter turnout is usually recorded above 60 percent, with even higher participation from tribal dominated villages.
The estimated population of Manihari is around 3.5 lakh, out of which a considerable share is that of Santhal and Oraon tribes. The Muslim population is the single largest group at nearly 39 percent, followed by Scheduled Tribes (13 percent) and Scheduled Castes (7 percent). The area is predominantly rural, with agriculture, fishing and river-based trade forming the backbone of its economy.
In the 2020 Assembly polls, Manihari had 287,266 registered voters. This number grew in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reflecting a steady rise in voter registration. The constituency has a balanced mix of tribal, Muslim and OBC voters making it politically diverse.
The Manihari constituency was formed in 1951 and has since then undergone 17 elections. Although it was earlier a general seat, it was declared as Scheduled Tribe reserved after the delimitation in 2008. Its political history has been marked by dominance by socialist parties and later by the Congress with Manohar Prasad Singh representing it successfully for over a decade.
DISCLAIMER: Election details, dates and candidate information are based on official Election Commission data and public sources; updates may follow official announcements.
