Patna: In a historic move, Bihar is set to become the first state in the country to conduct voting through a mobile app, as part of an experimental rollout in the municipal elections and by-elections scheduled for Saturday. The initiative, aimed at making the voting process more accessible and inclusive, has been launched by the State Election Commission with all necessary security and logistical arrangements in place.
A total of 40,280 voters — comprising senior citizens, persons with disabilities, individuals suffering from chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and migrant workers — have registered for e-voting via mobile application, which will be open from 7 AM to 1 PM.
Meanwhile, regular voting through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be conducted from 7 AM to 5 PM across 42 municipal bodies in 26 districts of Bihar. Voting will take place for 136 posts, including 121 ward councillors, eight deputy chief councillors, and seven chief councillors. Notably, nine candidates have been elected unopposed, while polling in three seats has been postponed following a directive from the Patna High Court.
Extensive Arrangements in Place
The total number of registered voters for the election is 3,79,674, comprising 1,97,129 male, 1,82,539 female, and 12 voters from other categories. To ensure smooth conduct, the Election Commission has deployed:
- 489 presiding officers
- 2,121 polling personnel
- 1,502 police officers
- 5,017 members of police force
To prevent any malpractice, live webcasting will be conducted from polling booths, allowing officials to monitor voting activities in real time.
Helpline for Voters and Candidates
For assistance and grievance redressal, the commission has issued a toll-free helpline — 18003457243. Voters and candidates can use this number to lodge complaints, provide suggestions, or seek information related to the election process.
A Step Towards Digital Democracy
This pilot project marks a significant leap in India’s electoral process, with Bihar pioneering the use of digital technology to extend the voting process to remote and less mobile populations. If successful, the mobile voting system could be replicated in other states for broader democratic participation.
The State Election Commission has assured voters of data security, privacy, and transparency in the mobile voting process, stating that multiple layers of authentication and monitoring are in place.
Officials believe this move could reshape how elections are conducted in the future, by reducing logistical challenges and increasing accessibility for eligible voters who previously faced barriers to physical polling.
