Bihar Election 2025: The Election Commission will announce the polling dates for the Bihar elections today at 4 pm. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has called a press conference, where he will elaborate on the phases of the Bihar polls. The elections to the Bihar Legislative Assembly will be conducted before November 22, the date on which the term of the current Assembly ends. There is much speculation about the number of phases that will be held for the assembly elections. It is said that, as political parties have requested fewer phases, the ECI might consider conducting the polls in fewer phases compared to the previous assembly elections. What does history say about the election phases that Bihar was witnessing? How many phases are ECI currently considering?
How many phases is the ECI planning?
The three Election Commissioners were in Bihar for a two-day visit on October 4 and 5. ECI were collecting feedback from the political parties on the poll phases to be conducted. They also reviewed the poll preparations. During the meeting with the political parties, they have requested to complete the polling in fewer phases.
What NDA and other parties requested to ECI
The ruling NDA demanded a single phase of voting. The Opposition has called for two phases. However, on the potential poll dates, NDA and the opposition had the same request, pressing for the polls to be held soon after the Chhath festival that begins on October 25. Additionally, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Sunday confirmed that elections will be conducted before November 22.
What History says about the number of phases in Bihar Legislative Assembly elections
In 2020, voting for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly was conducted in three phases. An Indian Express report suggests that the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are preparing additional units for deployment. This is seen as another indication that experts expect fewer poll phases this time. From 2010 to 2025, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of phases conducted for polling in the 243-seat Bihar Assembly elections.
Bihar Legislative Assembly Election – 2010
The Bihar legislative assembly election, 2010 was held in six phases over a period of one month, starting from 21 October to 20 November in all 243 constituencies
Bihar Legislative Assembly Election – 2015
The polling for the 243-seat legislative assembly was held over five phases through October–November 2015.
Bihar Legislative Assembly Election – 2020
The voting for the Bihar assembly election was held over three phases.
