New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce the schedule for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections at 4 pm today. The ECI will announce the poll schedule during a press briefing at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
On Sunday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, in a press conference in Patna, said that elections in Bihar will be held before November 22, the day when the term of the State Assembly ends.
Notably, political parties have urged the EC to hold the polls immediately after the Chhath festival, which will be celebrated at the end of October, to ensure greater voter participation as a large number of people employed outside return home for festivities.
There are a total of 243 assembly seats in Bihar. Out of these two seat, two were reserved for STs and 38 for SCs.
"Bihar has 243 assembly constituencies - 2 for STs and 38 for SCs. The term of the Bihar Legislative Assembly ends on November 22, 2025, and elections will be held before that time... The Election Commission trained booth-level officers for the first time... SIR was launched on June 24, 2025, and completed by the deadline," Kumar had said during the press briefing.
There are a totlamof 243 assembly seats in Bihar. Out of these two seat, two were reserved for STs and 38 for SCs.
"Bihar has 243 assembly constituencies - 2 for STs and 38 for SCs. The term of the Bihar Legislative Assembly ends on November 22, 2025, and elections will be held before that time... The Election Commission trained booth-level officers for the first time... SIR was launched on June 24, 2025, and completed by the deadline," Kumar had said.
As per Kumar, "no polling station will have more than 1,200 voters to ensure a smoother voting process. The CEC further explained that that the booth-level officials will now carry identity cards for easier identification, and voters' mobile phones can be deposited outside the booth.
"Identity cards have been introduced for booth-level officials to better identify them when approaching voters. Mobile phones can be deposited in a room outside the booth. This process will be implemented throughout Bihar... There will be 100 per cent webcasting at every polling station," he stated.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has revised the existing guidelines under Rule 49B of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, for the design and printing of EVM Ballot Papers to enhance their clarity and readability, as per an official statement.
The poll body said that the photographs of candidates will be printed in colour on the EVM Ballot Paper, and the candidate's face will occupy three-fourths of the photo space for better visibility.
NDA vs INDIA:
The main competition in Bihar will be between the ruling Janata Dal United (JDU) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance and the INDIA Bloc parties, including the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has 138 seats in the Bihar Assembly. Out of these, the saffron party has 84 seats, while the JDU has 48. Meanwhile, the HAM(S) has four seats, and two were won by Independent candidates who later extended support to the NDA.
The Opposition has 103 seats, including 71 by the RJD and 17 by the Congress.
