Key Highlights
- Two-Phase Voting: Elections for 243 seats set for November 6 (121 seats) and November 11 (122 seats), with results on November 14.
- Large Voter Base: About 7.42 crore voters, including 14 lakh first-time voters; 38 seats for Scheduled Castes, 2 for Scheduled Tribes.
- Voter-Friendly Steps: Polling stations limited to 1,200 voters, mobile deposit points, full webcasting, and postal ballots counted first.
- Political Contest: NDA (BJP, JD(U)) competes with Mahagathbandhan (RJD, Congress), alongside Jan Suraaj and AIMIM.
- Key Issues: Jobs, migration, special status, caste reservations, and voter list disputes shape campaigns.
- Voter List Updates: Controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) finalized on September 30.
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced the schedule for the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, setting up a major contest across 243 constituencies. Voting will occur in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results declared on November 14, ensuring the new assembly forms before the current term ends on November 22.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar shared the details in Delhi, stressing fair and accessible elections. “Bihar’s elections are massive – its voter base would make it the 11th largest nation globally,” Kumar said, noting 7.42 crore voters, including 3.92 crore men, 3.5 crore women, and 14 lakh first-time voters. The assembly reserves 38 seats for Scheduled Castes and 2 for Scheduled Tribes.
The first phase on November 6 covers 121 constituencies, with notifications on October 10, nominations due by October 17, and withdrawals by October 20.
The second phase on November 11 includes 122 seats, with notifications on October 13 and nominations closing October 20. This streamlined two-phase plan responds to calls for higher voter turnout, especially after the Chhath festival when many migrant workers return.
To enhance voting access, the ECI reduced polling station voters to 1,200, added mobile deposit facilities, ensured 100% webcasting for transparency, and prioritized postal ballot counting.
Anganwadi workers will assist in verifying identities for voters wearing burqas. Kumar encouraged voters to check their names on the electoral rolls, finalized on September 30 after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) removed outdated or duplicate entries.
Voter List Controversy
The SIR process, launched in June 2025 to update Bihar’s voter rolls, sparked significant debate. Opposition parties, including the RJD and Congress, raised concerns about potential voter exclusion, particularly affecting migrants, minorities, women, and low-income groups. They criticized the initial rejection of Aadhaar as ID, tight verification deadlines, and high deletion rates in certain districts, fearing it could impact over two crore voters. The ECI clarified that SIR aimed to remove duplicates, deceased, or relocated voters, following long-standing requests. After Supreme Court intervention, Aadhaar was accepted, and deletion lists were made public. Despite these steps, opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, continue to question the process’s fairness, with ongoing court hearings set for October 7, 2025.
The election features a tight race between the NDA (BJP, JD(U)) and Mahagathbandhan (RJD, Congress), with Jan Suraaj and AIMIM also competing. Key campaign issues include job creation, migration, special status for Bihar, and caste-based reservations. Jan Suraaj, led by Prashant Kishor, pledges 90% new candidates chosen through open primaries.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence in the NDA’s record of development, while Congress aims for a “people-first government.” AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi launched a “Seemanchal Justice March” to mobilize voters. In 2020, the NDA won 125 seats against Mahagathbandhan’s 110. With festivals like Diwali and Chhath boosting voter turnout, this election could redefine Bihar’s future. The Model Code of Conduct is now in effect.
