Bihar assembly elections: In a landmark move to improve the voting experience and encourage greater voter participation, Bihar has become the first Indian state to ensure that no polling station has more than 1,200 voters, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The major change comes just ahead of the Bihar assembly elections later this year.
Over 12,800 new polling stations added in Bihar
To meet this new norm, Bihar has added 12,817 new polling stations, taking the total number from 77,895 to 90,712. The initiative aims to reduce long queues, shorten waiting times and make the entire electoral process more efficient and accessible for voters.
The Election Commission in its official release on July 21, 2025 said, “This is a major achievement that sets an ideal benchmark for other states and Union Territories.”
Voter limit revised from 1,500 to 1,200
As per the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on June 24, 2025, the earlier limit of 1,500 voters per polling station has been revised to 1,200. The move is in line with the Commission’s broader strategy to enhance inclusiveness and voter facilitation across the state.
SIR Data Snapshot (as on 24th June, 2025):
Total Voters: 7,89,69,844
Count Forms Received: 7,16,03,218 (90.67%)
Digital Count Forms: 7,08,59,670 (89.73%)
Voters not found at their address: 43,92,864 (5.56%)
Dead Voters Deleted: 16,55,407 (2.1%)
Permanently Shifted Voters: 19,75,231 (2.5%)
Multiple Enrollments Deleted: 7,50,742 (0.95%)
Unknown Voters: 11,484 (0.01%)
Total Voters Included in SIR: 7,59,96,082 (96.23%)
Pending Count Forms: 29,62,762 (3.77%)
43.93 lakh voters not found at home
A major concern highlighted by the Commission is that 43.93 lakh voters could not be found at their registered addresses. Additionally, forms of 29.62 lakh voters are yet to be received. Political parties have been urged to activate their workers and reach out to these voters to ensure accurate voter list.
“We have shared these lists with all 12 major political parties and requested their help through over 1.5 lakh booth level agents (BLAs),” the EC said.
Public objections from August 1
The draft voter list will be published on August 1, 2025. From that date, citizens can file objections or request addition, deletion and correction of names as per the SIR guidelines. This phase will play a crucial role in ensuring that no eligible voter is left out in the final list.
Political reactions: Mamata Banerjee criticises SIR
While the reform is being celebrated in Bihar, it has created political tensions in West Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit out at the BJP during the TMC’s Shaheed Diwas rally and accused the party and the Election Commission of hatching a similar plan in Bengal.
“The BJP is hatching a Bihar-like SIR plan in Bengal to remove Bengalis from the voter list. I will never allow this,” Banerjee declared.
She further alleged that the move is an attempt to manipulate voter data and suppress specific communities ahead of the elections.
Why it matters
The initiative is a significant step towards India’s electoral reform, with voter convenience and accuracy being paramount. Bihar’s success could inspire similar voter-focused reforms across the country, especially in densely populated or politically sensitive states.
With elections approaching, the focus is on transparency, inclusiveness and data accuracy in the democratic process.