Bihar Assembly Election 2025: Voters Allowed to Carry Mobile Phones Inside Booths, Announces CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Bihar Election 2025 Update:
In a major electoral reform, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has announced that voters in Bihar will now be allowed to carry their mobile phones inside polling booths during the upcoming Assembly elections. The announcement was made during a press conference held in Patna, marking one of the most notable changes in the state’s election process this year.

This decision addresses one of the most common grievances of voters who were earlier barred from bringing phones into voting premises. However, the Election Commission has clarified that a secure holding facility will be provided inside each booth where voters must deposit their mobile phones before casting their votes. This measure is aimed at ensuring transparency while accommodating modern-day voter convenience.

Bihar Sets Example with Successful SIR Initiative

Before detailing the poll preparations, CEC Gyanesh Kumar praised the state for its exemplary work in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Conducted after nearly two decades, this initiative focused on cleansing and updating the voter list.

He highlighted that more than 90,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) played a key role in this drive, ensuring that Bihar’s electoral rolls are among the most accurate in the country. Calling it a “model for the nation,” Kumar commended the officers for their meticulous work, which would now serve as a benchmark for other states.

Drawing a historical parallel, the CEC remarked, “Just as Vaishali showed the world the path of democracy, Bihar’s officers are now leading the way in ensuring clean and inclusive voter rolls.”

CEC Urges Citizens to Celebrate Democracy Like ‘Chhath Mahaparv’

In an inspiring appeal, CEC Kumar urged Bihar’s voters to participate in the upcoming polls with the same enthusiasm and devotion they show during Chhath Mahaparv, the state’s most celebrated festival.
He congratulated citizens for the successful completion of the SIR process and emphasized the importance of universal participation, saying:

“Let every voter come forward and take part in this festival of democracy with pride and responsibility.”

Key Election Details and Timeline

Providing updates on the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, the Election Commissioner confirmed that the current assembly’s tenure ends on November 22, 2025. Elections will therefore be held before this date.
Bihar comprises 243 Assembly constituencies, including 38 reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and 2 for Scheduled Tribes (ST).

The SIR process began on June 24, 2025, and was completed on time, reflecting the state’s readiness for smooth elections. For the first time, Booth Level Officers received specialized training to ensure accuracy and efficiency at the ground level.

A Step Toward Transparent and Voter-Friendly Elections

The decision to allow mobile phones inside polling booths represents the Election Commission’s commitment to modernization and voter comfort. While earlier restrictions often caused inconvenience and confusion, this new policy aims to make the voting experience smoother while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the process.

Officials noted that the move reflects changing times, where smartphones are integral to citizens’ lives. By allowing voters to bring them along—albeit with secure temporary storage—the Election Commission hopes to enhance trust and convenience in the electoral process.

In Summary

The Bihar Assembly Election 2025 is set to witness several progressive changes, the most prominent being the relaxation of mobile phone restrictions. With a successful voter list revision, enhanced training for polling officers, and an appeal for enthusiastic participation, the state seems fully prepared to conduct one of the most transparent and technologically adaptive elections in recent years.

As CEC Gyanesh Kumar aptly put it, the people of Bihar are once again poised to lead the nation in democratic participation, much like their historic legacy that once inspired democracy itself.