**17 New Initiatives Announced for Bihar Assembly Polls**
*By Chanshimla Varah | October 6, 2025, 5:26 PM*
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has unveiled 17 new initiatives for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled to take place in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. These reforms, intended for nationwide implementation in the future, aim to enhance transparency and streamline the electoral process.
**Key Transparency Measures and Voting Reforms**
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar highlighted that these initiatives will serve as models for future elections across the country. One significant reform includes 100% webcasting at all polling stations, an increase from the previous 50%. This move is expected to bolster transparency during the voting process.
Political parties’ Booth Level Agents (BLAs) are now advised to participate in mock polls and collect Form 17C after polling concludes. To aid voters, electronic voting machines (EVM) ballots will display colored photographs of candidates, and voter slips will feature larger fonts for easier candidate identification.
**Mobile Phones Allowed Near Polling Stations**
For the first time, voters will be permitted to carry mobile phones up to the outer area of polling stations. Chief Election Commissioner Kumar explained, “Polling station ke kamre ke theek bahar matdata apna mobile phone jama kara sakta hai,” meaning voters can deposit their phones just outside the polling booths.
Additionally, political parties will be allowed to set up polling agent booths within 100 meters of polling stations to enhance public confidence in the democratic process.
**Technological Advancements**
The ECI also plans to progressively implement the ECI Net application, which will take election technology to a new level, making election management more efficient.
**Voter Roll Revision and Counting Process Enhancements**
A special summary revision of electoral rolls will be conducted to ensure accuracy and integrity. Previously, discrepancies between Form 17C and EVM counting units necessitated a complete recount of all affected VVPATs. Now, postal ballots will be compulsorily counted before the final two rounds of EVM counting, streamlining the process further.
To prevent overcrowding, no polling booth will have more than 1,200 voters. Also, a new mobile deposit facility will be introduced at booths to facilitate voting.
**Assembly Bypolls on November 11**
Alongside the Bihar Assembly elections, eight Assembly bypolls will be conducted on November 11, with results announced on November 14. These seats include Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila (ST) in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa (ST) in Mizoram, and Nuapada in Odisha.
The initiatives reflect the Election Commission’s commitment to transparency, inclusion, and the use of technology to uphold democratic values in India’s electoral process.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/politics/what-are-17-new-initiatives-for-bihar-assembly-polls/story