The Election Commission of India on Monday officially announced the schedule for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. As per the schedule, voting will take place in two phases on November 6 and 11, and the counting of votes will be held on November 14, 2025.
The term of the current 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly ends on November 22, making this election crucial for all major political parties in the state.
🗓️#SCHEDULE for the GENERAL ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF BIHAR 2025 – Two Phases
Details 👇#Bihar #BiharElections2025 pic.twitter.com/ZeTBbpX32O
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) October 6, 2025
Poll Dates Set After Chhath Festival for Maximum Voter Turnout
Political parties in Bihar had earlier urged the Election Commission to schedule the elections after the Chhath festival. This request was made to ensure that maximum voters, especially those working outside the state who return home during the festival, could participate in the election.
The ECI accepted the suggestion, taking voter convenience and participation into consideration while finalizing the dates.
Election Commission Reviews Security and Logistics in Patna
Before announcing the poll schedule, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, held a series of high-level meetings in Patna. The discussions focused on security arrangements, logistics, and enforcement preparedness with top state officials. The Election Commission emphasized conducting free, fair, and inducement-free elections across all constituencies.
Parties Demand Single-Phase Election
Several political parties had requested the Election Commission to conduct the Bihar polls in a single phase.
JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha said, “We urged the EC to hold assembly elections in a single phase. It is possible. The state has no law and order problem, nor is it in the throes of Naxal violence. If elections could be held in a single phase in Maharashtra, why not here?”
However, the commission decided on a two-phase election to ensure smooth management and security across all districts.
Seat-Sharing Talks in NDA and INDIA Bloc Underway
Both alliances the NDA (BJP-led) and the INDIA bloc (RJD-led) re finalizing their seat-sharing arrangements.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said that the INDIA bloc’s seat-sharing formula is in its final stage and will be announced soon. The NDA, meanwhile, is expected to reveal its seat-sharing details later this week.
Current Political Strength in Bihar Assembly
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BJP currently holds the largest share with 80 MLAs, followed by its ally JD(U) with 45 MLAs.
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The NDA alliance, which also includes four MLAs from Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) led by Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, has a total of 129 MLAs, comfortably above the 122-member majority mark.
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The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan (INDIA bloc) has 112 MLAs in total.
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In the 2020 assembly elections, the BJP won 74 seats, while RJD emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats. The Congress managed to secure 19 seats.
As the election dates draw near, both alliances are expected to intensify their campaigns. The poll outcome will determine whether the NDA retains power or if the RJD-led alliance manages to return to the helm. With just over a month to go, Bihar’s political scene is heating up, setting the stage for a closely watched and high-stakes election.
Also Read: Bihar Election 2025: ECI to Announce Poll Dates Today as Assembly Term Ends on November 22
