Patna: As the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections begins today, authorities have launched one of India’s most extensive election monitoring operations, deploying over 100,000 cameras, 200,000 vehicles, and satellite-based tracking systems to oversee polling across the state’s 90,712 booths.
The second phase of voting is scheduled for November 11, while votes will be counted on November 14. The Election Commission has described this year’s operation as a test of both technology and logistics, with real-time surveillance from Delhi to Patna.
Nationwide Monitoring from a Central Command
All polling stations will be monitored through live webcasting connected to a central command and control centre in Patna and mirrored at the Election Commission headquarters in Delhi. The feeds, captured by more than 100,000 web cameras, will allow officials to observe activity at any booth in real time.
A Commission official said the aim was to “ensure transparency and provide verifiable digital evidence” in the event of any dispute. All footage will be recorded and stored for use in post-election reviews or investigations.
The system operates through four layers of oversight:
- The Election Commission in Delhi (national level)
- The State Election Department in Patna (state level)
- District Election Officers (district level)
- Block offices (local level)
Access to these feeds remains strictly restricted to authorised personnel.
Patna’s ‘War Room’ for Democracy
Inside the Patna Command Centre, 42 large display screens and 28 computer systems form the nerve centre of the operation. Maps of Bihar and GPS data flash continuously as staff track vehicle movement, particularly those transporting Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and sensitive materials.
Officials explained that every vehicle carrying an EVM is fitted with a GPS device. If a vehicle halts for more than five minutes, an alert automatically signals its exact location. “We can see in real time whether a vehicle is on route, stationary, or diverted,” one staff member said.
700,000 Personnel Mobilised
Behind the technology lies a vast human workforce. More than 453,000 polling personnel and 250,000 security forces—including state police and central paramilitary—have been deployed. Another 27,000 observers and assistants, from sector officers to Anganwadi workers, are on duty to ensure accessibility and order at polling stations.
OCR Technology to Count Votes
When counting begins on November 14, around 28,000 workers will use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to digitise vote counts directly from EVMs. The system will automatically generate PDF records, allowing for quicker tabulation and reducing human involvement. Officials said the process will be recorded on video to ensure full transparency.
More Polling Stations, Fewer Voters per Booth
To reduce queues and ease access, the average number of voters per booth has been lowered from 1,500 to 1,200, creating 12,817 new polling stations. The total now stands at 90,712.
Voters are prohibited from carrying mobile phones within 100 metres of booths. Deposit counters will be set up outside to collect and return phones after voting.
Facilities at each booth will include waiting zones, clean drinking water, toilets, ramps for the elderly and disabled, and adequate lighting.
A Logistical Challenge: 200,000 Vehicles in Motion
Conducting an election for 74 million voters across Bihar’s diverse terrain requires a staggering 200,000 vehicles, from buses and trucks to motorbikes and boats. Many have been hired from private owners.
Districts such as Patna and Gaya have some of the largest fleets—over 8,000 and 8,500 vehicles respectively—while remote riverine regions like Raghopur and Nakata Diara will use boats to ferry polling materials and staff.
To minimise disruption, school buses will be requisitioned for only three days. All vehicle payments are to be made within 30 days after election duty, and claims must be filed within 90 days of vote counting.
Rates and Oversight
The Election Commission has standardised fares and operating procedures through its Vehicle Management System on the ceoelection.bihar.gov.in portal. Every movement is tracked, logged, and recorded to maintain accountability.
The Technology Test of Democracy
Officials say the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections represent not just a political exercise but a technological milestone. Live camera feeds, satellite tracking, and AI-assisted data management have turned the process into what one officer described as a “clean, transparent, and fear-free” operation.
