The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the much-anticipated schedule for the Bihar Assembly elections today at 4 pm. The announcement, taking place at Vigyan Bhawan, comes after an intensive two-day review of election preparedness in the state. During these discussions, the ECI engaged with political parties and enforcement agencies to ensure that the upcoming elections are free, fair, and conducted smoothly.

The stage is set for a dramatic electoral contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and the opposition Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The Bihar Legislative Assembly comprises 243 seats, of which the NDA currently holds 131, while the Mahagathbandhan occupies 111.

ECI Introduces 17 New Initiatives for Bihar Polls

Ahead of the announcement, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar unveiled 17 new initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the electoral process. Speaking at a press conference in Patna, he stated, “Seventeen new initiatives have been successfully implemented in Bihar; some will be implemented in the conduct of elections, and some in counting.”

A major highlight is the comprehensive overhaul of voter lists. Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) across all 243 constituencies, along with 90,207 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), carried out a detailed voter list cleansing for the first time in 22 years.

Other key reforms include:

• Doubling remuneration for BLOs, polling and counting staff, CAPF personnel, and micro-observers.

• Honoraria for EROs and AEROs and improved refreshments for staff.

• Voter convenience measures, such as mobile phone deposit counters outside polling stations and color photographs of candidates on EVMs.

• 100 percent webcasting at every booth, ensuring transparency and real-time monitoring.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar emphasized that these reforms aim to make the voting process more voter-friendly while maintaining strict oversight during both polling and counting.

Political Parties Advocate Post-Chhath Polling

During the ECI review, representatives from both national and state parties, including BJP, JD(U), RJD, Congress, CPI(M), CPI(ML), BSP, and AAP, recommended holding elections after Chhath, Bihar’s most significant festival.

JD(U) Bihar president Umesh Singh Kushwaha suggested: “We have urged the ECI to conduct elections in a single phase and just right after Chhath Puja so that people living outside the state can also cast their vote.”

Similarly, BJP Bihar chief Dilip Jaiswal requested adequate paramilitary deployment in backward areas to ensure voter safety and comfort. Parties also proposed measures to strengthen polling arrangements and facilitate smooth electoral processes across all constituencies.

Bihar’s Electoral Roll: Facts and Figures

The final electoral roll, published on September 30, lists 7.42 crore voters, marking a slight decrease from the 7.89 crore recorded in June. The breakdown of assembly seats is as follows:

• NDA: 131 seats (BJP 80, JD(U) 45, HAM(S) 4, 2 Independents)

• Mahagathbandhan: 111 seats (RJD 77, Congress 19, CPI(ML) 11, CPI(M) 2, CPI 2)

Bihar’s electoral landscape has intensified in recent weeks as parties have ramped up campaigns, focusing on mobilization and outreach ahead of the high-stakes polls.

The upcoming elections will be the first after the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which removed 68.5 lakh duplicate or ineligible entries and added 21.5 lakh new voters, including approximately 14 lakh first-time voters. The final draft of the revised voter list was published on September 30, following opportunities for objections and claims by political parties and citizens.

Security Measures Ahead of the Polls

Security is a top priority for the Bihar Assembly elections. Over 500 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), comprising more than 5,000 personnel, have been deployed across the state. This includes 121 CRPF companies, nearly 400 BSF units, and additional contingents from ITBP, CISF, and SSB. As of now, 99 BSF companies have already reached Bihar, with others on the way. Depending on the assessment of security threats and Home Ministry directives, this number could rise to 1,600 companies.

The CAPF units will be instrumental in maintaining law and order, preventing electoral violence, and ensuring a free and transparent voting process across all constituencies.

Bihar Chief Minister Inaugurates Metro Corridor Ahead of Polls

Just hours before the poll schedule announcement, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated a 3.45-km elevated corridor of the Patna Metro, covering three key stations: Patliputra Bus Terminal, Zero Mile, and Bhoothnath. He also laid the foundation stones for six underground stations, including Patna Junction, and a 9.35-km tunnel under Corridor 1, with the project estimated at Rs 2,565.8 crore.

Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Singh, along with other ministers and officials, joined a ceremonial ride on the newly inaugurated metro. According to officials: “The metro will complete 40 to 42 trips daily. Twelve seats per train will be reserved for women and differently-abled passengers. Coaches feature charging ports and are adorned with Madhubani art.”

Controversy Surrounding Election Commission

Amid preparations, Congress leader Manickam Tagore criticized the Election Commission, accusing it of partiality. Speaking to ANI, Tagore stated: “We all know that the Election Commission of India has lost its credibility. They have started to work like the BJP's organisation itself. Today is 6th of October, and the elections are going to be announced as per the media reports.”

He expressed confidence in the INDIA bloc forming the next government, if elections are conducted fairly, adding: “INDIA alliance is very confident that if a fair election happens, if the election commission is fair, we are going to form the government in Bihar.”

Tagore also criticized the timing of government schemes, asserting that the NDA neglected youth and women for decades, and only recently announced initiatives such as Rs 10,000 for women, coinciding with the election period.

AAP Releases First List of Candidates

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has released its first list of 11 candidates for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, signaling its readiness to compete in key constituencies and expand its political footprint in the state.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar: Directions and Assurances

CEC Gyanesh Kumar has issued comprehensive directives to district magistrates, superintendents of police, and enforcement agencies to ensure strict enforcement of law and order. These include:

• Zero tolerance towards violence or intimidation.

• Adequate CAPF deployment for confidence-building.

• Officers must act impartially and remain accessible to all stakeholders.

• Prompt grievance redressal for parties and voters.

• Active countering of fake news through social media teams at the district level.

• Vigilance at checkpoints to prevent illegal movement of drugs, liquor, or other contraband.

The CEC assured: “We want to assure that Bihar elections will be conducted in a transparent and peaceful manner. The EC wants to tell voters of Bihar that we will ensure elections are conducted transparently while maintaining law and order.”

Bihar Assembly Election 2025: Key Overview

• Total Seats: 243 (SC: 38, ST: 2)

• Total Voters: 7.43 crore (Male: 3.92 crore, Female: 3.5 crore)

• First-time Voters: 14 lakh

• Major Alliances: NDA vs. Mahagathbandhan

These elections are set to reshape Bihar’s political landscape, with parties intensifying campaigns, deploying resources for voter outreach, and strategizing for maximum electoral impact. The ECI’s reforms, combined with increased security and technology-driven initiatives, aim to ensure that the polls are conducted in a fair, transparent, and voter-friendly environment.

Bihar is on the cusp of a defining electoral moment, with political parties, voters, and the Election Commission all gearing up for a high-stakes election that could alter the state’s governance for the next five years.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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