Bihar Gears Up for Assembly Elections: Final Voter List, Party Access Fees, and What Comes Next
As Bihar prepares for its crucial assembly elections, the Election Commission is all set to release the final voter list on September 30. The list, prepared through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process that began in June 2025, is expected to feature the names of approximately 7.3 crore eligible voters. This includes close to 14 lakh new voters who registered during the revision process. The SIR process required all 7.89 crore existing voters to re-fill their forms for verification, leading to the removal of around 6.5 lakh names due to reasons such as death, migration, or duplication.
The draft list, published on August 1, served as the basis for the final clean-up. With the updated roll now ready, the state is moving swiftly toward elections. This final roll is essential for preparing polling booths, allocating staff, and printing voter slips. The Assembly’s five-year term ends on November 22, making a November poll date inevitable. This step effectively signals the beginning of the countdown to one of the most politically significant elections in the country.
Election Dates Likely Between November 5-15
While the final voter list is set to be published on September 30, election dates are expected to follow soon after. A three-member team from the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, will visit Patna on October 4 and 5 to assess the state’s preparedness. Based on their review, polling dates are likely to be announced shortly after October 6. Sources indicate that the elections could take place in three phases between November 5 and 15. Once the official announcement is made, the Model Code of Conduct will immediately come into force, restricting new government initiatives and transfers.
Which Parties Get the Voter List Free of Cost
Nationally recognised political parties will receive the voter list, both hard and soft copies, free of charge. These include Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United) (JDU), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI(M), and the National People’s Party (NPP). These parties will get access to the voter lists for all 243 assembly constituencies either from the official website (ceoelection.bihar.gov.in) or directly from the district election offices. This free access ensures that the major players have the resources they need to plan their campaigns and mobilise voters efficiently.
Smaller Parties and Independents Will Have to Pay
Unrecognised regional parties, new political outfits, and independent candidates will not enjoy the same privilege. They will have to pay a fee to access the voter list. Some notable parties falling under this category in Bihar include Jan Suraj Party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and AIMIM. These parties must pay Rs 100 for a hard copy and Rs 50 for a soft copy (PDF) per constituency. With 243 constituencies in total, a full set could cost Rs 24,300 (hard copy) or Rs 12,150 (PDF), not including any extra charges for additional formats or custom lists.
What This Means for Bihar’s Political Landscape
The voter list serves as the foundation of every election, determining who gets to vote, where they vote, and how campaigns are strategized. The cost-based access system could create challenges for smaller and emerging parties, potentially limiting their reach. At the same time, nationally recognised parties are well-positioned to launch state-wide campaigns swiftly. With the electoral roll now finalised, focus will shift to seat-sharing deals, campaign rallies, and voter outreach. The next few weeks will see heightened political activity as Bihar moves into full election mode.
The release of Bihar’s final voter list on September 30 is a critical milestone in the lead-up to the 2025 Assembly elections. As national parties gear up with free access and regional players prepare to pay their way in, the stage is set for a high-stakes political showdown.
The draft list, published on August 1, served as the basis for the final clean-up. With the updated roll now ready, the state is moving swiftly toward elections. This final roll is essential for preparing polling booths, allocating staff, and printing voter slips. The Assembly’s five-year term ends on November 22, making a November poll date inevitable. This step effectively signals the beginning of the countdown to one of the most politically significant elections in the country.
Election Dates Likely Between November 5-15
While the final voter list is set to be published on September 30, election dates are expected to follow soon after. A three-member team from the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, will visit Patna on October 4 and 5 to assess the state’s preparedness. Based on their review, polling dates are likely to be announced shortly after October 6. Sources indicate that the elections could take place in three phases between November 5 and 15. Once the official announcement is made, the Model Code of Conduct will immediately come into force, restricting new government initiatives and transfers.Which Parties Get the Voter List Free of Cost
Nationally recognised political parties will receive the voter list, both hard and soft copies, free of charge. These include Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United) (JDU), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI(M), and the National People’s Party (NPP). These parties will get access to the voter lists for all 243 assembly constituencies either from the official website (ceoelection.bihar.gov.in) or directly from the district election offices. This free access ensures that the major players have the resources they need to plan their campaigns and mobilise voters efficiently. Smaller Parties and Independents Will Have to Pay
Unrecognised regional parties, new political outfits, and independent candidates will not enjoy the same privilege. They will have to pay a fee to access the voter list. Some notable parties falling under this category in Bihar include Jan Suraj Party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and AIMIM. These parties must pay Rs 100 for a hard copy and Rs 50 for a soft copy (PDF) per constituency. With 243 constituencies in total, a full set could cost Rs 24,300 (hard copy) or Rs 12,150 (PDF), not including any extra charges for additional formats or custom lists.What This Means for Bihar’s Political Landscape
The voter list serves as the foundation of every election, determining who gets to vote, where they vote, and how campaigns are strategized. The cost-based access system could create challenges for smaller and emerging parties, potentially limiting their reach. At the same time, nationally recognised parties are well-positioned to launch state-wide campaigns swiftly. With the electoral roll now finalised, focus will shift to seat-sharing deals, campaign rallies, and voter outreach. The next few weeks will see heightened political activity as Bihar moves into full election mode. The release of Bihar’s final voter list on September 30 is a critical milestone in the lead-up to the 2025 Assembly elections. As national parties gear up with free access and regional players prepare to pay their way in, the stage is set for a high-stakes political showdown.
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