BJP Leaders in Agartala Hold March to Celebrate Bihar Victory and Thank PM Modi
ECI Unveils 17 New Reforms Ahead of Bihar Assembly Elections, Plans Nationwide Rollout
Oct 06, 2025In a major push to modernize and enhance the electoral process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the implementation of 17 new initiatives for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. These reforms, aimed at improving transparency, accessibility, and technological integration, will serve as a pilot for eventual nationwide adoption.
Addressing a press conference in Patna after reviewing poll preparations, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the initiatives would not only streamline the voting process in Bihar but also set a benchmark for future elections across the country.
Among the key measures announced: 100% Webcasting: All polling stations in Bihar will have live webcasting to enhance transparency and ensure real-time monitoring.
Increased Role of Booth Level Agents (BLAs): Political parties have been encouraged to ensure the presence of BLAs during mock polls before voting begins and to collect Form 17C — which contains the vote count — immediately after polling ends.
Improved EVM Ballots: Electronic Voting Machines will now display colour photographs of candidates alongside their names to help voters easily identify their preferred candidates.
Enhanced Voter Slips: Voter information slips will feature names printed in larger fonts, making it easier for voters to locate their details and polling booths.
Mobile Phone Policy Relaxed: For the first time, voters will be allowed to carry mobile phones up to the outer periphery of polling stations, improving communication and convenience.
Polling Agent Booths Closer to Stations: Political parties will be allowed to set up polling agent booths within 100 meters of polling stations, a move expected to boost public confidence in the electoral process.
Introduction of ECI Net App: A new digital platform, the ECI Net application, will provide a one-stop solution for all election stakeholders, promoting a tech-savvy approach to electioneering.
The Chief Election Commissioner also highlighted the successful completion of the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Conducted across more than 90,000 polling stations, the revision was marked by high accuracy and efficiency thanks to the efforts of Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
Praising the BLOs, Kumar noted that public awareness about issues like duplicate voter registrations had significantly increased. As a result, around 3.66 lakh voters voluntarily applied to have their names removed from the rolls.
Additionally, a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was conducted under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act. While the exercise drew some criticism, Kumar emphasized that it was widely welcomed by voters, political parties, and other democratic stakeholders.
"The successful implementation of these initiatives in Bihar will serve as a model for voter list purification and electoral reforms across the country," Mr. Kumar stated. He affirmed the ECI’s commitment to making elections more inclusive, transparent, and technology-driven.
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