Bihar Gears Up for Two-Phase Elections
The Election Commission of India has officially announced that Bihar elections will go to polls in two phases, on November 6 and November 11. The vote counting will take place on November 14, deciding the future political direction of the state.
Out of Bihar’s 243 Assembly seats, 121 seats will vote in the first phase, while the remaining will vote in the second phase. This election is expected to be one of the most closely watched political battles in the country, drawing national attention as a major Breaking News event.
Election Timing After Festivals
The election schedule was designed to ensure maximum voter participation. The voting will happen after the Chhath and Diwali festivals, which fall between October 18 and 28 this year. According to sources, political parties requested this timing so that people who travel during the festive period can return home and cast their votes.
This approach is seen as a smart move by the Election Commission, allowing both voters and parties to focus fully on the poll campaign once the festive season ends.
The Political Battle Ahead
The Bihar election will mainly be a battle between two big alliances:
- The ruling NDA, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) or JD(U).
- The opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
However, this year’s election has an interesting twist. Prashant Kishor, who helped Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee win past elections, will contest for the first time with his own party, Jan Suraaj. His entry has added a new dynamic to Bihar’s political landscape, making it one of the most talked-about topics in Daily news highlights.
Controversy Over Voter List Revision
The elections are taking place amid a major voter list controversy. The Election Commission’s “Special Intensive Revision” (SIR) of the voter list has led to political and legal disputes. The opposition accused the EC of trying to disenfranchise marginalized voters, claiming that the process might remove lakhs of genuine voters from the list.
However, the EC defended its action, saying the goal was to ensure only Indian citizens can vote. The revision came after reports of Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals being listed as voters. Due to the revision, the total number of registered voters dropped from 7.9 crore to 7.24 crore.
The Supreme Court has also been involved in reviewing the matter, stating that if any illegalities are found, the process could be scrapped immediately.
The EC has promised faster voter card issuance, ensuring new cards are delivered within 15 days of application, so that every eligible citizen can exercise their voting right.
Political Background and Future Outlook
In the 2020 Bihar elections, the BJP-led alliance narrowly won with 125 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan secured 110. Nitish Kumar, then an ally of the BJP, became Chief Minister again. But in true “Paltu Kumar” style, he later switched sides, joining hands with the opposition.
Two years later, Nitish changed course again, returning to the BJP-led alliance, which now seeks a fresh mandate from the people of Bihar.
The upcoming 2025 Bihar election will also mark the beginning of a major election cycle in India, leading up to the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. States like Assam, Bengal, Tamil Nadu (2026) and Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (2027) are next in line for big electoral contests.
Additionally, the Election Commission has announced eight by-elections across various states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Telangana, Punjab, Mizoram, and Odisha.
Conclusion
The Bihar election is shaping up to be one of India’s most intense and significant political battles in recent times. With new players, voter list controversies, and shifting alliances, the contest promises high drama and major surprises.
As the polling dates draw closer, all eyes will be on Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, and Prashant Kishor, who represent three different visions for Bihar’s future. The results on November 14 will not just decide who rules Bihar but also set the tone for India’s political roadmap toward 2029.
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