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Patna: The Mahaparva of democracy is going to start once again in Bihar. The Election Commission has announced the dates of Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. This time the state will vote in two phases. The first phase will be on 6 November and the second phase on 11 November, while the counting of votes will be held on 14 November. But a long history is hidden behind the story of this two-step voting. A history in which Bihar has seen everything from 6 stages to the elections held in one day.

The first great war of democracy was run in 1952 for 21 days

After India's independence, the first assembly elections in Bihar were held in 1952. At that time, the state was voted in 6 phases, which lasted from January 4 to January 24 i.e. for 21 days. This was the longest and widespread election in Bihar's electoral history. There were neither roads nor modern means of communication in that era. The Election Commission had to resort to bullock carts, boats and walking routes to deliver polling personnel and ballot boxes in every field.

1957 to 1980: Number of stages fluctuates

Elections were held in two phases in 1957. After this, elections of 1962 and 1967 were held in four stages. The 1967 election was also historic because the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections were held simultaneously. Then in 1969, Bihar was voted in a day for the first time. It was called the state's first "one-day mid-term election". The 1980 election was also held in a single phase and at that time the total voter number of Bihar was around 4 crores.

1990s: Round of three to five stages

In 1990, Bihar again saw voting in one phase, but by 1995, this number reached three stages. Voting in the 2000 election concluded in four stages. The most interesting election was in the year 2005, when assembly elections were held twice a year in Bihar. Voting was held in five phases in February 2005, but no party could get a clear majority. In October-November 2005, again voting was held in five stages and the same election brought Nitish Kumar to the chair of power.

From 2010 to 2020: three -phase stable model

In 2010, 2015 and 2020, all three consecutive elections were held in three phases. The election of 2020 was special, as it was conducted between the corona epidemic. At that time, the number of polling stations was increased keeping in mind the security and health protocols.

Just two phases in 2025, Election Commission's "Smart" model

This time the Election Commission has decided to vote in two phases in Bihar. In the first phase, votes will be cast on 121 seats on November 6, while in the second phase, 122 seats will be held on November 11. The Chief Election Commissioner has said that this time, new initiatives like maximum 1200 voters, 100% webcasting, color photo voter card, and mobile deposits are being taken at every booth. This decision is considered a major step not only to ensure administrative efficiency but also to ensure electoral transparency and safety.

Electoral tradition of Bihar: a combination of security and ease

Bihar has always been counted among the most complex and largest electoral states of the country. Phase -wise voting has always been needed due to the geographical expansion of the state, densely populated and diverse social structure. This journey from the 21-day election of 1952 to the two-day voting of 2025 is a proof that Bihar has continuously modernized its electoral structure over time.

The journey of democracy became easy, but equally interesting

Bihar's election formula has also changed with the changing times. While the challenge was to reach the first elections to the people, now the challenge is to make every vote transparent and safe. The election of 2025 is historic in this sense, as it will not only test the politics of "development", but will also start a new, technology-driven in Bihar's electoral history.