The Bihar Legislative Assembly elections for 2025 concluded with an unprecedented voter turnout of 67.13 percent, marking the highest participation in the state’s electoral history since 1951. The Election Commission of India (ECI) reported that female voter turnout at 71.78 percent surpassed the male turnout of 62.98 percent, reflecting increased engagement of women in the democratic process.
Peaceful Elections and Zero Repolls Recorded
The elections were conducted peacefully across two phases with no repolls recommended in any constituency—an achievement noted as the first in the recent history of Bihar elections. The ECI confirmed that all 90,740 polling stations were monitored through 100 percent webcasting, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process.
Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, closely supervised the proceedings through real-time monitoring on the ECINet platform. The system enabled efficient coordination and data collection across the state.
Technological Advancements and Administrative Efficiency
The ECI implemented 17 exclusive initiatives under its Bihar First campaign to enhance voter convenience, ensure accuracy in the electoral rolls, and modernize election management. The ECINet platform served as the technological backbone of these elections, supporting live data updates and enabling presiding officers to report turnout figures in near real time.
Forms 17A and related election materials were securely sealed and verified by Returning Officers (ROs) after scrutiny. In total, 122 Assembly Constituencies participated in the second phase, with 122 ROs and 122 General Observers supervising the process. Approximately 460 candidates or their representatives were present during the scrutiny of documents, which concluded without any discrepancies.
Highlights of ECI’s 17 Bihar First Initiatives
I. Electoral Roll Improvements
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted with zero appeals to ensure an accurate and inclusive voter list.
- Remuneration for Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Supervisors, and election staff doubled, with honorarium extended for the first time to Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant EROs.
- Voter identity cards (EPICs) now issued within 15 days of updates in the rolls.
- Introduction of standardized photo ID cards for BLOs to enhance transparency.
II. Capacity Building and Training
- BLOs from Bihar received professional training at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi.
- Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties trained for the first time in electoral roll management.
- Special training sessions conducted for Bihar Police to strengthen law and order preparedness during polls.
III. Conduct of Elections
- Voter limit per polling station reduced to 1,200 to prevent overcrowding.
- Additional polling booths established in high-density residential complexes.
- Voter Information Slips redesigned with prominently displayed serial and part numbers.
- ECINet mobile app modules activated for voter and staff services.
- Candidate booths allowed beyond 100 meters from polling stations.
- EVM ballot papers redesigned to include color photographs of candidates for improved clarity.
IV. Counting and Transparency Measures
- Mandatory verification of VVPATs in cases of mismatch between Form 17C and EVM data.
- Counting of postal ballots completed before the penultimate round of EVM counting.
- All counting processes videographed and monitored for consistency.
Historical Comparison of Re-poll Figures
| Sl. No. | Election and Year | Total No. of Re-polls |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Election, Lok Sabha 2024 | 2 |
| 2 | General Election, Lok Sabha 2019 | 3 |
| 3 | General Election, Lok Sabha 2014 | 96 |
| 4 | Legislative Assembly Election, 2020 | 3 |
| 5 | Legislative Assembly Election, 2015 | 2 |