The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday declared that the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections will be conducted in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with the results to be announced on November 14.
The announcement, made during a press conference at 4 pm in New Delhi, sets the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan in the state’s 243 constituencies.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated that the elections will be completed before November 22, when the term of the current Bihar Assembly expires. Of the 243 constituencies, two are reserved for Scheduled Tribes and 38 for Scheduled Castes. The announcement follows the recent completion of the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls, launched on June 24, and finalised on schedule.
To ensure a smooth and transparent voting process, the ECI has introduced several measures. Kumar announced, “No polling station will have more than 1,200 voters,” aiming to streamline operations at polling booths. Booth-level officers will now carry identity cards for easier verification, and voters will be required to deposit their mobile phones outside polling stations to prevent any misuse. Additionally, the ECI will implement 100pc webcasting at every polling station to enhance transparency and monitoring.
The Election Commission has also upgraded the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) ballot papers to improve clarity and readability. Candidate photographs will now be printed in colour, with the face occupying three-fourths of the photo space, and serial numbers will be displayed in bold, 30-point font using international numerals. These enhanced ballot papers will be introduced for the first time in the upcoming Bihar elections.
The election schedule was announced shortly after the Chhath festival at the end of October, following requests from political parties to hold the polls immediately after the festival to maximize voter turnout. Many migrant workers return to Bihar during this period, making it an ideal time to boost participation. In contrast, the previous Assembly elections in 2020 were conducted in three phases amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2025 elections are expected to witness a fierce contest between the NDA, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and the Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). In the outgoing 243-member Assembly, the NDA holds a majority with 131 seats, comprising 80 seats for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 45 for Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), 4 for Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAM(S)), and two Independents. The Mahagathbandhan, on the other hand, has 111 seats, with 77 held by the RJD, 19 by the Congress, 11 by the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI(ML)), 2 by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), and 2 by the Communist Party of India (CPI).
The ECI’s announcement and the measures introduced signal a commitment to ensuring a fair and efficient electoral process, setting the stage for a closely watched political showdown in Bihar.
Also Read: BJP announces election in-charges for Bihar, Bengal, Tamil Nadu
Follow us
