‘No polling station will have more than 1,200 voters’: CEC Gyanesh Kumar in Bihar

PATNA(Bihar): Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Sunday outlined key measures for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, stating that “no polling station will have more than 1,200 voters” to ensure smoother voting.

The Chief Election Commissioner also highlighted several new initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency and improving the voter experience.

Addressing a press conference in Patna, the CEC Gyanesh Kumar said, “The Election Commission has decided that no polling station will have more than 1,200 voters.”

Kumar explained that the booth-level officials will now carry identity cards for easier identification, and voters’ mobile phones can be deposited outside the booth.

“Identity cards have been introduced for booth-level officials to better identify them when approaching voters. Mobile phones can be deposited in a room outside the booth. This process will be implemented throughout Bihar… There will be 100 per cent webcasting at every polling station,” the CEC added.

The CEC further announced changes in the ballot papers for the upcoming election, stating that the serial number font would be larger nationwide, and candidates’ photographs would be in colour.

“When the ballot paper is inserted into the EVM, the photo on it is black and white, making identification difficult, although the election symbol remains. The serial number should also be larger. Starting with the Bihar elections, the serial number font will be larger nationwide, and candidates’ photographs will be in colour,” he said.

Addressing vote-counting procedures, Kumar stated that discrepancies in Form 17C and the EVM counting unit previously required counting all affected VVPATs.

“Previously, when votes were counted, if there was a mismatch in Form 17C, which the presiding officer gives to polling agents, and in the EVM counting unit, all such VVPATs would be counted in full. Similarly, it will be compulsory that postal ballots be counted before the final two rounds of EVM counting.”

Additionally, the Election Commission is gradually implementing ECI-NET, which will allow citizens to access digital index cards showing the total number of voters and the male-female breakdown of those who voted, within days of the election’s conclusion.

“After the election is over, many people want to know how many voters there were, how many men voted, and how many women voted… now, gradually, the progressive implementation of ECI-NET is taking place. Therefore, you will all be able to see these digital index cards within a few days of the election’s conclusion,” Kumar explained.

The CEC Gyanesh Kumar stated that elections in Bihar will be held before November 22, when the term of the State Assembly ends. Kumar said Bihar has “243 assembly constituencies”, including two reserved for STs and 38 for SCs.

“Bihar has 243 assembly constituencies – 2 for STs and 38 for SCs. The term of the Bihar Legislative Assembly ends on November 22, 2025, and elections will be held before that time… The Election Commission trained booth-level officers for the first time… SIR was launched on June 24, 2025, and completed by the deadline…” the CEC said.

Kumar congratulated voters on the successful completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and urged the people of Bihar to participate actively in the upcoming assembly elections.

He appealed to all voters to treat voting as a festival of democracy, just like the enthusiasm shown during Chhath, and ensure full participation at the polls.

The Election Commission officials were on a two-day review visit to the state. (ANI)