As Bihar prepares for the Assembly elections on November 6 and 11, 2025, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced measures to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote, even if they do not possess a Voter ID card. The ECI has specified that voters can use any one of 12 alternative photo identification documents at the polling booth.
Alternative Identification Documents
According to the ECI, any voter whose name is on the electoral roll can present one of the following documents as proof of identity:
- Aadhar Card
- MNREGA Job Card
- Passbook with a photograph issued by a Bank or Post Office
- Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of the Ministry of Labour or Ayushman Bharat Health Card
- Driving License
- PAN Card
- Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR
- Indian Passport
- Pension document with a photograph
- Service Identity Cards with a photograph issued to employees by Central or State Government, Public Sector Undertakings, or Public Limited Companies
- Official identity cards issued to MPs, MLAs, or MLCs
- Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card issued by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India
The Election Commission has advised that individuals with multiple identity cards should only bring one form of identification to the polling place. Voters must have a valid form of identification to cast their votes on election day.
Ensuring Accessible and Fair Elections
The ECI has emphasized that having one's name on the electoral roll is mandatory for voting. EPICs have been issued to nearly all voters in Bihar. The poll body had directed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to deliver these cards to all new voters within 15 days of the final electoral roll being released.
Special Measures for Women
Special arrangements will also be implemented at polling stations to help identify women observing purdah, ensuring their privacy in the presence of female polling officers. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar mentioned that Aanganwadi workers would assist in verifying the identities of women in 'burqa-clad' or voters in 'ghunghat' at all Bihar polling booths.
Efforts to Prevent Misinformation
The ECI has also taken steps to prevent the spread of misinformation during the election period, banning the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools to create deepfakes that distort information.
Political Landscape
The Bihar Assembly election will be conducted in two phases, covering all 243 constituencies. The first phase of polling will be on November 6 for 121 constituencies, while the second phase on November 11 will cover the remaining 122. The counting of votes will occur on November 14. The NDA, led by the BJP and JD(U), will compete against the INDIA bloc, led by Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD, the Congress, and other parties. Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj is also contesting all 243 seats.
