Patna: June 2, 2025 — The upcoming Bihar Assembly elections are expected to be conducted in two to three phases, according to sources familiar with the Election Commission’s planning. The current legislative term ends on November 22, 2025, and the entire election process must be completed before that date.
Sources told India Today TV that the schedule will likely be designed around major festivals such as Diwali and Chhath, to ensure maximum voter participation and smooth logistical operations.
This phased polling approach follows previous trends—Bihar’s 2020 Assembly elections were held in three phases, while the 2015 elections took place in five phases.
Chief Election Commissioner to Review Ground Preparedness
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is scheduled to visit Bihar later this month to review election preparedness. Training sessions are currently underway for polling officials, including Booth Level Officers (BLOs), to ensure transparency and accuracy in the electoral process.
In light of previous controversies in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi, the Commission is taking proactive steps to ensure voter list integrity. Officials confirmed that no appeals were filed following the publication of final electoral rolls in Bihar, Haryana, and Delhi from January 6 to 10, 2025.
Major Reforms for Voter Convenience and Data Accuracy
To enhance accessibility and convenience, the number of electors per polling booth will be reduced from 1,500 to 1,200. Additional booths will be established in densely populated regions, and voters will not have to travel more than two kilometers to reach a polling station.
Polling booths will also be set up in high-rise buildings, and mobile deposit facilities will be provided outside polling centers. Voter slips will now clearly display serial and part numbers to streamline identification.
BLOs will be issued official ID cards for door-to-door verification, while a special voter registration drive will be launched to include first-time voters who have turned 18.
In a significant move toward transparency, duplicate EPIC numbers have been removed, and the electoral roll will now be linked to death records from the Registrar General of India to eliminate names of deceased voters.
ECINET App and AI Monitoring to Modernize Election Management
The Election Commission will also roll out ECINET, an integrated digital platform replacing over 40 separate apps and websites. This single-point dashboard is expected to be fully operational in time for the Bihar polls, significantly improving election management and coordination.
As artificial intelligence continues to shape political campaigning, a dedicated AI monitoring cell will be established to track AI-generated content. Political parties have been instructed to clearly label all AI-generated campaign material to prevent misinformation and ensure informed voter decisions.
These comprehensive reforms and digital innovations mark a major step forward in ensuring free, fair, and technologically transparent elections in Bihar.
