Bihar Assembly Elections: Key Issues and Voter List Controversies
The Bihar Assembly elections are approaching, with significant political dynamics at play. As parties strategize to identify winning candidates, the opposition raises concerns about the legitimacy of the voter list, which includes deceased individuals and those with changed addresses. The election commission is actively revising the list, while the opposition seeks to capitalize on these issues. With the elections set for November, the outcome remains uncertain as public trust in the Grand Alliance versus the NDA is questioned. This article delves into the key issues surrounding the elections and the implications for Bihar's political future.
| Nov 5, 2025, 13:12 IST
Bihar Assembly Elections Announced
The countdown for the Bihar Assembly elections has officially begun. Political parties are currently focused on identifying candidates who can secure victories, while analysts are closely monitoring the developments. The elections are scheduled to take place in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with results expected on November 14, 2025. In the meantime, the state election commission's special intensive revision has reached the Supreme Court, which has advised affected voters to file appeals with the commission instead of issuing a major ruling.
Significant Questions Arise
Amidst these developments, several critical questions have emerged regarding how this election differs from previous ones. The opposition is labeling this election as the last for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Will the public place their trust in the Grand Alliance, or does the NDA still hold the confidence of the electorate?
Voter List Issues
It is noteworthy that the voter list in Bihar contains approximately 2 million names of deceased individuals. Additionally, around 800,000 voters have been identified with changed addresses. The election commission has reported that over 5 million names will be removed from the list. A thorough campaign for the revision and verification of the voter list has been initiated, with 98.1% of voters already processed. The opposition claims this is a tactic by the ruling BJP, while the BJP and NDA assert that it is a standard procedure.
Ongoing Election Commission Activities
Despite the political turmoil, the election commission continues its work. They have discovered names of citizens from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar in the Bihar voter list, which will be removed following citizenship verification after August 1. On the other hand, the opposition is making concerted efforts to bring this issue to the assembly, aiming to leverage it during the elections. However, it remains uncertain how this matter will influence the electoral outcome.