Bihar is the first state in India to permit citizens to vote through a mobile app. On Friday, State Election Commissioner Deepak Prasad said e-voting will occur today, i.e. June 28, 2025, during the municipal polls in six councils, three in Patna, and two in Rohtas and East Champaran. It is seen as enhancing elections’ availability and accessibility for individuals who cannot make it to the polling booths. Reports claim the system is based on emerging technologies, including blockchain and face recognition, to ensure security and transparency.
This new e-voting facility is designed based on the definitions stated by the State Election Commission to serve senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and migrant voters who are unable to reach polling stations for physical or locational reasons. The voters will be able to cast their vote through the new e-SECBHR mobile app or the State Election Commission website.
To prevent misuse and fraud, the e-voting system uses advanced technology like blockchain, face matching, and scanning. Only two registered voters can log in from a single mobile number, and every vote cast will be cross-verified with individual voter IDs to confirm its validity. According to reports, this system has been designed to keep the democratic process fair and tamper-proof.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR E-VOTING IN BIHAR
If voters want to vote from their phone, they download the e-SECBHR app (available only on Android devices as of now), and once downloaded, they link the app to their phone number on their electoral roll. Once the connection is ensured, voters will be able to vote on the official site or through the app on polling day. This process aims to be easy enough so that even a first-time user has no issue voting.
Starting with the municipal elections, mobile-based voter access is taking place for the first time, but whether the same system will be adopted for the upcoming Bihar assembly polls is uncertain. Officials say the progress on the pilot project will inform future use of the voting process.
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