New Mobile Phone Policy at Bihar Polling Stations: Election Commission's Innovative Approach for 2025 Elections

Mobile phones, now essentially an extension of individuals, have historically presented challenges at polling stations. However, Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has introduced a solution as part of new initiatives for the upcoming Bihar elections.

Among these innovations is a provision to assist voters with their mobile devices during the voting process.

"A voter can deposit his/her mobile phone just outside the polling station room," explained the Chief Election Commissioner while announcing the election schedule.

Bihar will conduct voting for its 243 assembly constituencies in two phases: November 6 (covering 121 seats) and November 11 (covering 122 seats). The vote counting will take place on November 14.

This mobile phone accommodation addresses a long-standing concern from voters about managing their devices while casting ballots.

Although mobile phones remain prohibited inside polling stations, the new arrangement allows voters to safely deposit their devices while participating in the electoral process.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, joined by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, characterized the Bihar elections as the "mother of all elections."

"We want to assure Bihar voters that not only will the elections be exemplary and smooth, but also the most peaceful due to a special focus on maintaining law and order," Kumar stated.

The 2025 Assembly elections mark the first electoral event in the eastern state following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which the poll body chief described as a "purification" of electoral rolls. This process yielded a final voters' list containing 7.43 crore eligible voters, including 14 lakh first-time voters.

The Election Commissioner also announced that each of the 243 constituencies will have its dedicated observer, replacing the previous system where one observer supervised multiple seats.

The 2025 elections are anticipated to be a highly contested battle between the governing alliance of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal(United), and the opposition Mahagathbandhan coalition led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress.

Further diversifying the political landscape is Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party, which is establishing itself as an alternative political force in Bihar.