Bihar Elections 2025: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday declared the dates for the Bihar assembly elections 2025, and for the first time, the state will vote only in two phases. Bihar voters will exercise their franchise on November 6 and 11, while the results will be announced on November 14. Addressing the press conference in New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, elaborated on the initiatives that the top poll panel is taking this time to ensure smooth, free and fair elections.
The ECI said that political parties urged them to conduct polls after Diwali and Chhath festival, and in minimal phases – one or two phases.
Why has ECI decided to conduct polls in only two phases?
For the last few years, the Election Commission has been trying to conduct the elections in minimal number of phases to reduce the burden on the people due to the restrictions that remain in place during the entire polling period. More phases, political parties have said, give candidates more chances to influence the voters.
In 2005, the ECI conducted elections in Bihar in five phases. In the following polls, the voting was held in six phases and again in five phases in 2015.
#WATCH | On Bihar polls, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar says, "Chhath Puja is on 28th October. All political parties had said that elections should be scheduled around this time. However, if you look at the specified duration needed after the issue of the notification… pic.twitter.com/JHCeeWjiQU
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2025
The number of phases was reduced to three in 2020, which has now been taken down to only two phases.
When asked why the poll panel chose to conduct the elections in only two phases, CEC Gyanesh Kumar said, “These decision was taken because voters are more aware today, the availability of CAPF has increased, the situation of law and order was analysed and because the capability of the commission and its officials have increased.”
The CEC added that it was correct to hold polls in two phases to ensure it is easier and smoother to execute the entire election process.
Bihar election 2025: What is at stake?
In two phases, Bihar will vote for 243 assembly constituencies. While the primary contest is between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and opposition’s INDIA bloc, but Prashant Kishor‘s Jan Suraaj Party could become a third front. The former poll strategist has been touring the state, campaigning against both NDA and Mahagathbandhan.
As of now, it is not clear if Prashant Kishor will be contesting the elections, but the party will release its first list of candidates on October 9.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, along with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and others campaigned against the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR), and the policies of the Nitish Kumar government. Tejashwi even called the CM “unfit” and “not stable” enough to run the government.
With poll dates out, the battle of Bihar has officially begun.