'Elections now have colour images on EVMs...' Elections end before November 29th, why CEC calls Bihar elections historic

ECI Press Conference: The Election Commission has announced several new reforms to make the voting process more seamless for voters in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

ECI Press Conference: The Election Commission held a press conference today, Sunday, October 5, 2025. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) from all districts of Bihar participated in the conference. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar praised the work of BLOs during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). He stated that more than 90,000 BLOs participated in the SIR.

The Election Commission has announced several new reforms to make the voting process more seamless for voters in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said during a press conference in Patna on Sunday that Bihar will be the first state where candidates' photographs and ballot papers will be displayed in color on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The photos were black and white

The Chief Election Commissioner said that currently, the photographs of candidates on EVM ballots are in black and white, making identification difficult for voters, while the election symbols remain clear. He said, "Now, starting with the Bihar elections, the photographs of candidates will be displayed in color on EVM ballots across the country, and the font size of the serial number will also be increased. This will enable voters to easily identify candidates."

The Election Commission also announced that no polling station will have more than 1,200 voters. Booth-level officials will be issued identity cards so they can be clearly identified by voters. Mobile phones will also be deposited in a separate room outside the polling station. The Commission also stated that 100% webcasting will be provided at every polling station.

Celebrate the elections with enthusiasm

Gyanesh Kumar confirmed that the Bihar Assembly elections will be held before November 22, 2025. He stated that Bihar has a total of 243 assembly constituencies, of which two are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and 38 for Scheduled Castes (SC). The Special Intensive Voter Revision (SIR) process was initiated on June 24, 2025, and was completed within the deadline.

According to Election Commission officials, for the first time in Bihar, booth-level officers were given special training to ensure voter participation in the election process. The CEC appealed to voters to celebrate this festival of democracy with enthusiasm and to cast their votes. He said, "Voters of Bihar should celebrate this festival with the same enthusiasm as they celebrate Chhath festival. Everyone should vote and ensure active participation in democracy."

Efforts to create transparent elections

Earlier, political parties met with the Chief Election Commissioner and expressed their desire to hold the Bihar Assembly elections immediately after the Chhath festival. They also thanked the Commission for its successful SIR process. However, this process also became a source of political controversy before the elections.

The Chief Election Commissioner also clarified that the Election Commission gives top priority to voter convenience and transparency and through new reforms, it is trying to make the Bihar Assembly elections the most smooth and transparent elections in the country.

PC:India Daily