Patna: The Election Commission on Thursday rejected allegations made by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) that deliberate power cuts were being orchestrated in polling booths during the first phase of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections to slow down voting in areas where the Grand Alliance is strong.
In a post on social media platform X, the RJD had claimed: “During the first phase of voting, electricity is being intermittently cut off at polling booths where the Grand Alliance is strong, with the intention of slowing down voting. This is a deliberate attempt to slow down voting. Election Commission, please take immediate cognizance of such rigging and malicious intent.”
Tagging the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar, the party urged for “immediate action.”
यह आरोप पूरी तरह निराधार और भ्रामक है। बिहार में सभी मतदान केन्द्रों पर सुचारू रूप से मतदान चल रहा है। भारत निर्वाचन आयोग मतदान प्रक्रिया को निष्पक्ष, पारदर्शी और निर्बाध बनाने के लिए सभी मानक प्रोटोकॉल का पालन कर रहा है। ऐसे भ्रामक प्रचार का कोई आधार नहीं है। https://t.co/4ZAErlSTt5
— Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar (@CEOBihar) November 6, 2025
Responding swiftly, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer dismissed the charge as “baseless and misleading.” The official account posted: “This allegation is completely baseless and misleading. Voting is proceeding smoothly at all polling stations in Bihar. The Election Commission of India is following all standard protocols to ensure a fair, transparent, and smooth voting process. Such misleading propaganda has no basis.”
Voting is currently underway across 121 constituencies in 18 districts, with polling scheduled until 6 pm. According to official data, the voter turnout stood at 13.13% by 9 am.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar and both the ECs have reached the Control Room in ECI to monitor the CCTVs installed in 100% polling stations for the first time.@ECISVEEP pic.twitter.com/Ka1xlvehEC
— Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar (@CEOBihar) November 6, 2025
To ensure transparency, the Election Commission has established a command and control center at the CEO’s office in Patna, where live monitoring of all 45,341 polling booths is being conducted. All polling stations are equipped with webcasting facilities, enabling real-time oversight and rapid response to any irregularities.
Patna Election Officer Shikha Sharma said that around 50 large television screens have been installed at the control room for live feeds. “From here, queues at polling stations and any on-ground issues are being monitored closely so that prompt corrective measures can be taken,” she said.
The Election Commission has maintained that the voting process remains peaceful and orderly across Bihar, despite sporadic reports of EVM glitches earlier in the day.
