Bihar Assembly elections 2025: When will Bihar vote? Key dates, phases, and counting schedule

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, fixing polling in two phases, November 6 (Phase I) and November 11 (Phase II), and counting on November 14. The poll calendar also includes timelines for notifications, nominations and withdrawals. 

Also Read: Which constituencies in Bihar are going to polls on which dates?

Out of the State’s 243 assembly constituencies, 121 will vote in the first phase and 122 in the second, the Commission said when it issued constituency-wise lists and the statutory timetable. Candidates for phase one filed nominations by October 17, with scrutiny on October 18 and the last date for withdrawal was on October 20. For phase two, the notification was issued later; the last date for filing nominations was October 20, scrutiny on October 21 and the withdrawal deadline on October 23. 

The poll notification also covers eight by-elections scheduled to be held on November 11, along with phase two polling, and the Commission has activated expenditure-monitoring and security arrangements ahead of the polls.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced that there are strict directives to administration for zero tolerance to any violence, and there will be no scope for any threat to voters or candidates. Over 7.4 crore people are eligible to vote in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, including 14 lakh first-time voters, he said. The CEC asserted that the Bihar elections will be conducted in a transparent and peaceful manner. 

There are 203 general constituencies, two reserved for Scheduled Tribes, and 38 for Scheduled Castes in Bihar. The State has 7.43 crore eligible voters, including close to 3.92 crore men, 3.50 crore women, and 1,725 transgender persons. About 14.01 lakh are first-time voters (18-19 age group); 1.63 crore are in the 20-29 age group; 4.04 lakh are very senior citizens (above 85); and about 14,000 are centenarians, besides 1.63 lakh service electors and 7.2 lakh voters with disabilities.

Key dates at a glance:

1. Notification: Phase I/Phase II: October 10 / October 13 (as notified). 
2. Last date for nominations: Phase I: October 17; Phase II: October 20.
3. Scrutiny: Phase I: October 18; Phase II: October 21.
4. Last date for withdrawal: Phase I: October 20; Phase II: October 23.
5. Polling: November 6 (Phase I) and Nov 11 (Phase II);
6. Counting: November 14.