Bihar 2025 Polls: Questions Linger Over Fair Play and Voter Trust

The Bihar Assembly elections of November 2025 have wrapped up, delivering a strong mandate to the NDA alliance. Yet, as results settle in, whispers of unease echo through the corridors of public discourse.

It's not about disputing the winners—democracy thrives on choices—but about ensuring those choices reflect true voices. Drawing from reports and observations, several aspects of the process invite thoughtful reflection. Could refinements strengthen trust for future polls? Let's examine key points with an open lens.

Consider the Jeevika Didi initiative, a well-intentioned push for women's empowerment. Announced in September, it provided ₹10,000 to 12.5 million women for small ventures, with future support up to ₹200,000 tied to self-help groups.

The timing—disbursals on 31 October and 7 November, post-MCC on 6 October—raised eyebrows. While the scheme merits applause for aiding Bihar's underserved, historical precedents like the EC's interventions in Tamil Nadu (2004, 2011) or Andhra Pradesh (2024) highlight sensitivities around pre-poll distributions.

Here, about 180,000 recipients also served as volunteers, sparking discussions on unintended influences. The EC's nod, unlike past halts, prompts questions: How can timing better align with impartiality?

Voter rolls, too, drew scrutiny via the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Pre-SIR, lists held 78.9 million names; post-revision, 74.2 million remained, against projections of 82.2 million. Reporters' Collective noted 1.435 million potential duplicates, including 342,000 with matching details, despite available software tools. Areas like Seemanchal saw higher deletions (7.7% vs. 5.9% statewide), affecting communities like Muslims (33% of deletions despite 16.9% population share) and others.

Social media clips showed voters surprised by missing names or "pre-cast" votes. The Wire's analysis suggested patterns in opposition-leaning zones. SIR aims for accuracy, yet such gaps—coupled with threats to probing journalists—underscore the need for transparent tech and appeals.

Transport logistics added another layer. Reports from ABP News captured Haryana residents arriving via special trains on 3 November, with fares covered by party efforts.

While facilitating votes is noble, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, cautions against funded conveyance to avoid perceptions of undue aid. Kapil Sibal and Rahul Gandhi flagged multi-state voting by some BJP affiliates, visible on public posts. The EC's silence, amid claims of 500,000 duplicates, invites clarity: What safeguards ensure only eligible participation?

Access to polling evidence remains a flashpoint. A 2024 High Court ruling affirmed CCTV footage as disclosable, but 2025 amendments to the 1961 Rules excluded it, with deletions mandated after 45 days.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar cited privacy and volume concerns—valid points, yet workable with redaction or teams. This shift post-judgment raises hopes for balanced reforms preserving scrutiny without overburden.

Finally, EC impartiality under the microscope. The 2023 appointment law, swapping CJI for a minister, shifted dynamics. Phase-staggered schedules (eight in West Bengal 2021) and leniency on MCC slips, like 2024 Lok Sabha rhetoric, fuel debates.

Family postings for CEC Kumar's kin during SIR add to perceptions. Courts, via Association for Democratic Reforms, urged fixes; ongoing hearings post-results signal progress, albeit slow.

These elements don't erase the NDA's win but highlight democracy's fragility in Bihar, India's heartland of aspiration. With SIR expanding to 12 states, proactive steps—like robust software, equitable deletions, and footage protocols—could rebuild faith.

Source- ANI, The Wire, etc