Patna: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday held a press conference in Patna to review preparations for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to conducting fair, transparent, and peaceful polls.
Addressing the media, Gyanesh Kumar said the Commission is considering suggestions made by political parties to conduct the Bihar elections in either one or two phases. “The Commission’s goal is to ensure elections are conducted efficiently and without bias. Suggestions from political parties are under consideration,” he said.
In a meeting held a day earlier, JD(U) had proposed a single-phase election soon after Chhath, while BJP and RJD had suggested a two-phase poll. The CEC also described the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar as a “success” and recommended that the model be implemented nationwide.
Gyanesh Kumar announced that 19 new initiatives will be introduced in the Bihar elections to enhance efficiency and transparency. Highlighting new measures, Kumar said BLOs will now have ID cards for easier identification during voter verification drives. Additionally, voters will be allowed to deposit mobile phones outside polling booths instead of leaving them at home. “No polling booth in Bihar will have more than 1,200 voters,” he added.
He praised Bihar’s 90,217 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), calling them “the backbone of democracy,” and lauded their work in updating the voter rolls. “The dedication with which Bihar’s BLOs have worked is an inspiration to the entire country,” he said, before adding warmly in Bhojpuri and Maithili, “I express my gratitude to everyone.”
On the question of timing the SIR before elections, the CEC said it was a legal requirement under the Representation of the People Act. “It would be unfair to suggest revisions be done after elections. Claims and objections were duly addressed between August 1 and September 1,” he clarified.
Urging citizens to embrace the spirit of democracy, Gyanesh Kumar said, “Just as Chhath Puja is celebrated with joy and devotion, the people of Bihar should celebrate elections as a festival of democracy.”
The CEC confirmed that the term of the Bihar Legislative Assembly ends on November 22, 2025, and all processes will be completed before then. Senior ECI officials have already visited all districts and held detailed meetings with District Magistrates, police chiefs, and state officials to review law and order and ensure smooth polling.
“We have held exhaustive discussions with the Chief Secretary, the DGP, and all nodal officers. Our aim is to ensure that no questions arise regarding the fairness or security of the elections,” he said, emphasizing that preparations across administrative and security levels were nearing completion.
