Patna: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has confirmed that the Bihar Assembly elections will be held before November 22, 2025, the date on which the current Legislative Assembly’s term ends. At a press briefing in Patna, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar also announced a novel step: Bihar will be the first state where the candidate photographs on EVM ballots will appear in colour.
Timeline, Preparations & Poll Date Window
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar began on June 24, 2025, and was reportedly completed ahead of schedule.The state has 243 assembly constituencies, including 2 reserved for Scheduled Tribes and 38 for Scheduled Castes.
On the question of scheduling, CEC Gyanesh Kumar reaffirmed: “The term of the Bihar Legislative Assembly ends on November 22, 2025, and elections will be held before that time.” Because elections must conclude before November 22, observers expect polling to take place in late October or early November, possibly in multiple phases (as is common in large states), though the ECI has not yet publicly fixed the exact dates.
Colour Photographs on EVM Ballots
Addressing the introduction of colour photos, CEC Kumar explained that in the current system the candidate photo on ballots is black-and-white, which makes identification harder. He said:
“When the ballot paper is inserted into the EVM, the photo on it is black and white, making it difficult to identify … So, starting with the Bihar elections, … the candidates’ photographs will be colour photographs.”
He also noted that the font for serial numbers will be made larger nationwide starting with Bihar.
Ahead of the formal announcement of poll dates, political parties in Bihar have already begun making requests to the ECI. Some have urged that elections be scheduled immediately after Chhath (October 25–28 this year), citing convenience since many migrant voters return home around that time. They have also pressed for fewer phases in polling to reduce the campaign period’s disruptions.
CEC Kumar has called upon parties to treat the elections in a “festive spirit” and emphasized full participation in the democratic process.
