Bihar Assembly Election 2025 Live Updates: Congress CEC likely to decide on Bihar poll candidates on October 8

On Bihar poll dates, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said, "The public will vote in favour of the model of development of the past 20 years. We are having discussions on seat sharing. It will be announced soon"

On Bihar poll dates, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said, "People of Bihar and the entire country is watching how there has been a change in the positive direction under the leadership of PM Modi in Centre and CM Nitish Kumar in the State. So, we are confident that a strong and effective mandate will be given in favour of the BJP-NDA."

As Bihar gears up for assembly elections across 243 seats, political strategist-turned-leader Prashant Kishor has confirmed that he will contest the polls, with his political startup Jan Suraaj set to unveil its list of candidates on October 9 -- a list he says will be “full of surprises.”

The announcement followed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s declaration of the Bihar election schedule, which will be conducted in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be announced on November 14. Bihar, with 243 constituencies, has the fourth-largest assembly in India.

Speaking to reporters, Kishor said, "The party will declare its list of candidates for the coming assembly polls on October 9 and it will be full of surprises. My name will also be there in the list."

On Bihar poll dates, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, "...We don't want a CM who pleads, we want a CM who roars like a lion...A festival begins today...With Tejashwi, every Bihari will be a CM this time, they will be CM - Change Maker..."

"14th Nov date will be written in golden letters in history. People of Bihar want change. They want the Govt of Mahagathbandhan this time. For 20 years, they gave crime, corruption, bureaucracy, tyranny and scam to the state. People of Bihar are done with this. CM is not in his senses. We don't want a CM who pleads, we want a CM who roars like a lion. Someone who can fight for the rights of the people of Bihar and get them justice...Mahagathbandhan will form the Govt...When Tejashwi becomes the CM, there will be no house in Bihar which will have unemployed youth. When Tejashwi comes, he will give jobs to everyone. Unemployment will be rooted out of Bihar. A festival begins today...With Tejashwi, every Bihari will be a CM this time, they will be CM - Change Maker..."

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi praised the Election Commission's decision to hold the Bihar Assembly elections in just two phases, asserting that the limited schedule would ensure a fairer poll.

Manjhi stated that the Commission has "wisely declared the elections in two phases," explaining his view that fewer phases reduce opportunities for illicit activities.

He specifically remarked that holding elections in more phases "gives booth looters more opportunities," but conversely, holding them in fewer phases means "booth looters will have fewer opportunities, and there will be neutral voting."

He further expressed confidence that the elections would be conducted with "utmost transparency."

The stage is set for a straight contest between the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc, with the Election Commission announcing a two-phase Bihar Assembly election—polling on 6 and 11 November, and counting on 14 November. Over 7.4 crore voters are eligible to vote in the 243-seat Assembly.

Currently, the NDA holds a majority with 129 MLAs—BJP has 80, JD(U) 45, and four from HAM(S). The opposition, comprising the RJD, Congress, and Left parties, has 112 MLAs.

In 2020, BJP won 74 seats, later increasing its count through defections and bypolls. JD(U) secured 43, later adding two more. RJD emerged as the single largest party with 75, gaining more after four AIMIM MLAs joined but losing ground in later bypolls.

On two-phase Bihar polls in November, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "We are very confident. We work on the ground. See the bridges, metro rail, and electricity at low rates in the state...The people of Bihar believe that PM Modi is committed to the development of Bihar. Both PM Modi and Nitish ji will work together to take Bihar forward...The people have decided that Nitish Kumar will become the CM as the NDA govt will be formed...."

Following the Election Commission’s announcement of the Bihar Assembly election dates, the Congress on Monday accused the poll body of being in an “alliance” with the BJP and failing to respond to concerns raised by Rahul Gandhi.

Congress leader Pawan Khera criticised the commission, saying, “We don't get answers to our questions… They created a political environment that there are illegal migrants, where are the illegal migrants? They did not answer.” He added, “The questions that INDIA bloc and Rahul Gandhi asked, no answers have been given.”

Khera alleged that the timing of the announcement allowed the ruling NDA to influence voters financially. “If this is not 'gathbandhan' (alliance) between the BJP and the EC then what is it?” he asked, also accusing the government of “stealing pensions, rations, jobs.”

Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal on Monday expressed confidence that the NDA would return to power with a thumping majority in the upcoming assembly elections. Polling will take place in two phases on 6 and 11 November, with counting scheduled for 14 November, chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced.

In a post on X, Jaiswal said every NDA worker is committed to Bihar’s development and prosperity. "I am fully confident that the public will choose development and once again give a majority to the NDA for the resolve to make Bihar developed and self-reliant," he said.

Echoing this, deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary urged voters to recognise the NDA’s work. "Everyone will again choose the NDA government... vote for the NDA again. Let the dream of a developed Bihar come true," he wrote.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday declared that Bihar would vote for change in the upcoming assembly elections, stating, "every Bihari will be the CM". He wrote, "Bihar will vote for a change in the coming assembly polls… every Bihari will become Bihar's CM — that is, CHANGE MAKER".

The elections will be held in two phases, on 6 and 11 November, with counting on 14 November. Yadav urged voters to mark the date, calling it the beginning of Bihar’s transformation.

He criticised the NDA government, accusing it of 20 years of misrule, citing corruption, unemployment, and poor infrastructure. Promising jobs and a new vision, he wrote, "What the NDA government could not achieve in 17 years, we delivered in 17 months".

Calling for bold, people-centric leadership, Yadav added, “With everyone's support, we will build a better, developed, and new Bihar.”

BJP president JP Nadda on Monday expressed confidence in the BJP-led NDA’s victory in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Describing the polls as crucial for the state’s continued development, he said they aim to rid Bihar of infiltrators and prevent the return of "jungle raj". In a post on X following the announcement of the poll schedule by the Election Commission, Nadda stated that the NDA government in Bihar has become synonymous with good governance and public welfare.

"I have full confidence that the sacred land of Bihar, which is the mother of democracy, will give the BJP and NDA its blessings and massive votes," he said.

Polling will take place in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14.

Bihar Election to take place in two phases on 6th and 11th November. Counting to take place on 14th November.

• Absolutely zero tolerance towards any form of violence.
• No scope for any kind of intimidation or threats to voters and candidates.
• Adequate CAPF deployment in the state well in advance for confidence-building measures.
• All officers must act impartially and be easily accessible to all stakeholders.
• Ensure all grievances/complaints from parties are addressed appropriately.
• Respond to fake news in a timely manner – Social media teams at the district level must actively counter misinformation.
• Maintain strict vigilance at all checkpoints to prevent the illegal movement of drugs, liquor, etc.

Total seats - 243
SC - 38
ST - 2

Total voters- 7.43
Male - 3.92
Female- 3.5

First time voters - 14 lakh

Total seats - 243
SC - 38
ST - 2

Total voters- 7.43
Male - 3.92
Female- 3.5

First time voters - 14 lakh

The Election Commission begins its press conference to announce the date(s) for the Bihar Assembly elections 2025.

The Bihar elections will be the first after the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which deleted 68.5 lakh voters and added 21.5 lakh new names.

The Election Commission of India, which is supposed to be the umpire conducting free and fair elections has been compromised and is working like an organization of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress leader Manickam Tagore said on Monday.

The Congress leader further said that he is confident in the INDIA bloc parties forming the government after the elections, that is, "if a fair election happens".

"We all know that the Election Commission of India has lost its credibility. They have started to work like the BJP's organisation itself. Today is 6th of October, and the elections are going to be announced as per the media reports", Tagore told ANI.

"INDIA alliance is very confident that if a fair election happens, if the election commission is fair, we are going to form the government in Bihar", he added.

Criticising the timing of various schemes and initiative unveiled by the Prime Minister and Bihar government, Tagore said that the NDA has not done anything for the youth or women for the last 2 decades but it announcing schemes in wake of the polls.

In a significant security measure ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, over 500 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), comprising more than 5,000 personnel, have been earmarked for deployment across the state. This includes 121 companies from the CRPF and nearly 400 from the BSF, along with contingents from the ITBP, CISF, and SSB, sources told ANI. Of these, 99 BSF companies have already arrived, with others en route. The number may rise to 1,600 depending on security assessments and Home Ministry directives.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is expected to announce the poll schedule later today. He recently confirmed that elections would be held before the Assembly’s term ends on 22 November, noting that the Special Intensive Revision has “purified” the voter list after two decades.

The CAPFs will play a key role in maintaining order, preventing electoral violence, and ensuring free and fair polling across the state.

The Election Commission will announce the Bihar assembly poll schedule at a 4 pm press conference on Monday. The current 243-member assembly's term ends on November 22.

The previous assembly elections in 2020 were held in three phases amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hours before the assembly election schedule was set to be announced, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday inaugurated a 3.45-km stretch of the Patna Metro’s elevated corridor, covering three stations: Patliputra Bus Terminal, Zero Mile, and Bhoothnath. He also laid the foundation stones for six underground stations, including Patna Junction, and a 9.35-km tunnel under Corridor 1, estimated at Rs 2,565.8 crore.

Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Singh, along with ministers and officials, took a ride on the newly launched metro. “The metro will complete 40 to 42 trips daily... Twelve seats per train will be reserved for women and differently-abled passengers,” said an official. Coaches also feature charging ports and are decorated with Madhubani art.

Congress leader Manickam Tagore on Monday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of losing its impartiality, claiming it is acting like “an organisation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)”. Speaking to ANI, Tagore said, “We all know that the Election Commission of India has lost its credibility. They have started to work like the BJP's organisation itself.”

He expressed confidence that the INDIA bloc would form the government “if a fair election happens”.

Criticising the timing of recent government schemes, Tagore accused the BJP and its allies of neglecting Bihar’s youth and women. “For 20 years, they have done nothing... and on October 2nd, they announced Rs 10,000 for women,” he said, calling the ECI a “compromised umpire”.

The ECI has introduced several new reforms for Bihar elections, including better voter list management, pay hikes for election staff, mobile phone deposit counters, and 100 percent webcasting at booths. Party representatives from BJP, RJD, JD(U), and others have sought phased polling after Chhath to boost voter participation. Political campaigns are in full swing, with parties criticising rivals and promoting their agendas across the state. The NDA currently holds 131 assembly seats, while the Mahagathbandhan has 111.

The final voter list for Bihar, published on September 30, shows 7.42 crore electors, down from 7.89 crore in June. The NDA currently holds 131 seats, including BJP 80, JD(U) 45, HAM(S) 4, and 2 Independents, while the Mahagathbandhan holds 111, including RJD 77, Congress 19, CPI(ML) 11, CPI(M) 2, and CPI 2. Political activity has intensified across the state, with parties trading accusations and ramping up campaigns ahead of the high-stakes elections.

During its review, the ECI met leaders from national and state parties including BJP, JD(U), RJD, Congress, AAP, BSP, CPI(M), and CPI(ML). Many parties suggested holding elections after Chhath, Bihar’s most important festival, and in minimal phases to ensure maximum voter turnout. JD(U) Bihar president Umesh Singh Kushwaha requested a single-phase election just after Chhath so voters outside the state can participate. BJP state chief Dilip Jaiswal asked for paramilitary deployment in backward areas to make voters feel safe. Parties also shared suggestions to improve polling arrangements and ensure smooth conduct in all constituencies.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced 17 new initiatives for the Bihar elections. Speaking in Patna, he said some measures will be implemented during voting, while others during counting. Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and 90,207 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) completed a major voter list cleansing after 22 years.

Other reforms include doubling pay for BLOs, supervisors, polling staff, and CAPF teams, honoraria for EROs and AEROs, and improved refreshments. Voters will also see colour photos of candidates on EVMs and mobile phone deposit counters at polling stations. The CEC confirmed 100 percent webcasting in all booths.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the schedule for Bihar assembly elections and bypolls in some states at 4 pm today. This comes after a two-day review of election preparedness in Bihar, including meetings with political parties and law enforcement.

The poll body aims to ensure free and fair elections. The fight is expected to be mostly between the ruling NDA, led by Nitish Kumar, and the Mahagathbandhan, led by Tejashwi Yadav of RJD. Currently, the 243-member Bihar Assembly has 131 NDA seats and 111 held by the Mahagathbandhan.