Bihar Assembly Elections: ECI Expected to Announce Poll Dates Today at 4 PM

New Delhi — The Election Commission of India (ECI) is expected to announce the schedule for the Bihar Assembly elections on Monday at 4 p.m., officially setting the stage for a high-stakes political battle in the state.

The announcement will likely be made during a press conference led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

This development follows the completion of the ECI delegation’s review of election preparedness in Bihar, during which officials met with representatives of major political parties and assessed logistical and security arrangements.

With the current Assembly’s term ending on November 22, the elections must be held before that date. Sources suggest that the schedule will be designed carefully to avoid overlapping with major festivals, including Diwali and Chhath (October 18–28), ensuring smooth polling and maximum voter participation.

The 2025 Bihar elections are expected to witness a fierce contest between the ruling BJP–JD(U) alliance and the opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. Adding a fresh twist to the political landscape is Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, which aims to establish itself as a credible alternative in the state.

In the 2020 Assembly elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 125 seats, securing a narrow majority, while the Mahagathbandhan bagged 110. The RJD emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats. That election was also notable for being India’s first major electoral exercise amid the Covid-19 pandemic, with a voter turnout of 56.93 per cent.

This year, the Election Commission has introduced key logistical reforms to enhance the voting experience. Each polling booth will now cater to 1,200 voters instead of 1,500, resulting in a significant increase in the total number of polling stations across Bihar. Consequently, additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) will be deployed to ensure security and efficient polling operations.

As Bihar awaits the official announcement later today, political parties have already begun mobilising their cadres, strategising campaign themes, and finalising candidate lists. The declaration of election dates will officially kick off what promises to be one of the most closely watched and politically charged contests of 2025.

With inputs from IANS