Election Commission introduces new voter-friendly measures and enhanced transparency protocols for the upcoming Bihar polls.

Patna: The bugle for the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 has been sounded. The Election Commission of India announced the election schedule on Monday during a press conference. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar informed that voting for the 243 assembly seats in Bihar will take place in two phases. The first phase of voting is scheduled for November 6, and the second phase for November 11. The counting of votes will occur on November 14, with the entire electoral process set to conclude by November 16. The election dates have been carefully chosen to accommodate the Chhath Mahaparv, ensuring minimal inconvenience to voters.

The Chief Election Commissioner stated that several new changes are being introduced in Bihar’s elections, which will gradually be implemented nationwide. These include displaying candidates’ photographs in color on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and increasing the font size of serial numbers. Additionally, all polling stations will be set up on the ground floor of buildings to facilitate elderly and differently-abled voters. Special arrangements will be made for voters above 85 years of age and those with more than 40 percent disability.

To ensure transparency, the Election Commission has decided to deploy one general observer and one police observer from other states in each of the 243 assembly constituencies. Webcasting will be implemented at all polling stations to maintain a transparent voting process. In the Diara regions, mounted police forces will patrol to strengthen security arrangements. Voters can address their concerns through the voter helpline number 1950, and the ECI Net App will allow them to connect with their Booth Level Officer (BLO) for grievance redressal.

The Election Commission has created a one-stop digital center by integrating 40 applications to enhance convenience for voters and candidates. Candidates will also be permitted to set up help centers 100 meters away from polling stations. A digital index card will be issued a few days after the election concludes.

To curb misinformation, the Election Commission has announced strict action against fake news to ensure the fairness of the electoral process. Approximately 8.5 lakh election personnel will be engaged in conducting the voting process in Bihar.

On the political front, seat-sharing discussions within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan remain unresolved. Leaders of both alliances have been holding talks for the past month, but no concrete agreement has been reached. On Sunday, NDA leaders met with BJP’s election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan in Patna, while Mahagathbandhan leaders convened at Tejashwi Yadav’s residence to strategize.

The Bihar Assembly Election 2025 will be a significant opportunity for both political parties and voters. With the Election Commission’s new arrangements and stringent monitoring, efforts are being made to ensure a fair, transparent, and smooth voting process.