The Bihar Assembly Election 2025 has become a crucial moment not only for its political contest but also for the renewed focus on the reliability and transparency of India’s Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). In a time when debates around voting technology continue, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced several reforms and awareness measures aimed at strengthening voter trust in the process.
One of the most important steps this year has been the randomisation of EVMs and VVPATs (Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trails). This process ensures that no one can predict which machine will be used at which polling booth. Machines are shuffled digitally through a secure system before being allocated to districts and constituencies. Party representatives are invited to witness these steps, adding another layer of transparency. The ECI has also made sure that all machines are stored in strongrooms under constant CCTV surveillance, with candidates’ agents allowed to monitor them.
For the first time in Bihar, EVM ballot units display candidate photographs in colour. This move, though seemingly small, carries major significance. It helps voters—especially those with limited literacy—recognize their chosen candidate easily, reducing errors and confusion during voting. The fonts and symbols have also been made larger and clearer on the machine panels.
To promote voter education, the ECI launched a mobile EVM-VVPAT demonstration van that travels across districts, showing people how to operate the machine and verify their vote through the paper slip. This outreach is essential, as misinformation and mistrust around electronic voting often arise from lack of awareness rather than technical flaws. By letting citizens see the process firsthand, the Commission aims to build confidence before polling day.
Alongside these improvements, the counting process has also been refined. Postal ballots will now be counted before the final EVM results are declared to ensure that every vote is respected. The Commission has directed that no EVM count will proceed until postal ballot counting is complete. This procedural change is meant to prevent premature results and perceptions of bias.
Despite these strong measures, challenges remain. Bihar’s large and diverse voter base means that maintaining uniform training and machine handling across all districts is not easy. Public skepticism toward EVMs, though less than in past years, still surfaces during elections, especially when results are close. Moreover, secure transportation and storage of machines continue to require rigorous monitoring.
However, the reforms in Bihar mark a progressive step forward. By introducing technological clarity, better visual aids, and public demonstrations, the Election Commission is attempting to make the process both transparent and voter-friendly. These innovations could set a precedent for future state and national elections.
In essence, the Bihar Election 2025 is not only a battle of parties but also a test of India’s faith in its voting technology. The EVMs have once again proved that with accountability, awareness, and openness, democracy can evolve without losing the trust of its people.
.jpeg)
