New Delhi/Patna: With the official announcement of Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, an IAS officer of 1988 batch from Kerala cadre, addressed several pressing concerns and political allegations during a detailed press conference held at 4 PM on Monday. From the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls to allegations of fake voting, freebies, and voting during festivals, Kumar laid out the Election Commission’s stance on each issue.
Bihar to Vote in Two Phases: November 6 & 11, Results on November 14
The 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly will go to polls in two phases — on November 6 and November 11, with results to be declared on November 14, 2025. The entire electoral process will span 40 days, beginning from the date of announcement.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, shared the poll schedule and responded to key media questions.
Read also: What Did CEC Gyanesh Kumar Promise While Announcing Bihar Elections 2025?
5 Key Issues Addressed by CEC Gyanesh Kumar
1. On Special Intensive Revision (SIR): “A Legal and Mandatory Process”
When asked about Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations regarding SIR being used for voter list manipulation, CEC Kumar responded firmly. He clarified that the SIR was conducted legally, as required under the Representation of the People Act.
“The final list under SIR was published on September 30. About 6.9 million names were deleted, including those of deceased voters, duplicates, non-citizens, and permanent migrants. SIR ensures accuracy, not exclusion,” he said, adding that missing names can still be added up to 10 days before the nomination deadline.
He emphasized that the Election Commission does not act on political pressure, stating, “Political noise is a part of elections. We do not get distracted.”
2. On Timing: “Elections Cannot Happen Before This”
Amid discussions on voting being scheduled around Diwali and Chhath, Kumar clarified that all political parties had urged the Commission to schedule voting after Chhath Puja, a significant cultural festival in Bihar.
“We returned from Bihar recently and finalised the schedule at the earliest possible window, keeping all legal and logistical constraints in mind, including nomination deadlines and campaign duration,” Kumar said.
3. On Fake Voting and Identity Concerns: “Burqa-Clad Voters Will Be Verified If Needed”
Addressing concerns of fake voting, especially involving veiled (burqa-clad) voters, Kumar said:
“The Commission has issued clear instructions. Anganwadi workers will be deployed at polling booths to verify the identity of veiled voters when required, ensuring no voter is denied their rights but also preventing impersonation.”
4. On 100% Webcasting: “Privacy of Voting is a Fundamental Right”
Responding to questions on webcasting at polling booths, CEC Kumar reaffirmed that 100% webcasting will be implemented, but access to that footage is restricted:
“Whether a person votes or not is a matter of privacy. This is protected under Supreme Court orders. Data from Form 17A (voter details) can only be shared with the High Court or Supreme Court, and only in cases of formal election petitions.”
5. On Freebies: “Model Code Will Be Strictly Enforced”
On the issue of freebies during elections, the CEC said:
“Once the Model Code of Conduct is in force, any violations related to inducements or freebies will be dealt with firmly. The Commission is prepared to take swift action on complaints,” he added.
Transparency, Technology, and Voter Access
CEC Kumar highlighted several voter-friendly initiatives, including:
- 100% webcasting at all 90,712 polling stations
- Voting from home option for elderly and differently abled voters via Form 12D
- Launch of the ECI-Net App for real-time poll monitoring and voter services
- Deployment of 90,712 BLOs, 243 EROs, and 38 DEOs for easy voter access
- Dedicated helpline 1950 for voter queries and support
Bihar’s Electoral Landscape
- Total Seats: 243
- Voters: ~74.2 million
- First-time voters: ~1.4 million
- 100+ age voters: 14,000
- Polling stations: 90,712
- Rural: 76,801
- Urban: 13,911
- Model Polling Stations: 1,350
Final Word: “This Will Be Among the Best Elections Ever”
Wrapping up, Gyanesh Kumar reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency, voter convenience, and fairness:
“We are not just conducting an election — we are ensuring that every vote counts and every voter is respected. These elections in Bihar will be among the best ever.”
