Patna: For the first time, Bihar will conduct Panchayat elections entirely through Electronic Voting Machines, marking a significant shift in how rural local body polls are held across the state. Voters in 2026 will select representatives for every post by pressing a button on an EVM, replacing the traditional ballot-paper system.
The State Election Commission (SEC) has sought approval from the state government to procure more than 32,000 EVMs. Officials said the procurement process has already begun, and written permission has been requested from the Panchayati Raj Department. The purchase will move ahead once the department issues its clearance.
Costs rise as Bihar opts for full electronic polling
Introducing EVMs statewide is expected to increase election costs. The SEC has been sanctioned more than Rs 200 crore to ensure transparency and quicker results, with the Bihar cabinet already approving the transfer and expenditure of the amount.
Commission officials said the 2026 polls will be markedly different from those held in 2021. The use of technology is expected to enable real-time reporting, reduce the number of voting phases and strengthen monitoring mechanisms.
Delimitation and reservation roster to be revised
Ahead of the elections, the SEC has also begun revising the delimitation of seats and overhauling the reservation roster. Reserved categories will shift based on the new rotation: unreserved seats may now be reserved, and seats reserved for OBCs may rotate to general or Scheduled Caste categories.
These changes, officials said, are part of a routine but significant restructuring of local body representation.
Latest M3 EVMs to be deployed
The 2026 elections will use M3 (Mark-3) EVMs, the latest model capable of storing data for up to 24 ballot units and 384 candidates. For the six positions in Panchayat polls, one control unit will be linked to six ballot units.
The SEC said the move to M3 machines will help manage the complexity of multi-post rural elections while ensuring secure and efficient polling.
