Bihar Election 2025: The Battle for Power and the Future of Digital Voting
As Bihar gears up for its 2025 Legislative Assembly Election, all eyes are on one of India’s most politically significant battlegrounds. The state, known for its deep-rooted political legacy and influence on national politics, is set to hold elections for all 243 assembly seats this year. The outcome won’t just determine who leads Bihar; it could also reshape the political balance in Delhi.
Despite India’s rapid digital transformation, the Bihar 2025 election will still rely on traditional voting methods. The Election Commission has confirmed that online voting will not be allowed, and ballots will be cast through Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems. Yet, the growing discussion about eVoting and recent experiment with mobile voting, hints at a future where technology could play a much larger role in ensuring accessibility and transparency.
Political Landscape and Alliances
The upcoming election is expected to witness participation from nearly 69 political parties, making it one of the most crowded and competitive elections in the country. The main contest, however, remains between three prominent blocs: the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Mahagathbandhan (INDI Alliance), and Prashant Kishor’s emerging Jan Suraaj movement.
The NDA, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha, will once again depend on its tested alliance formula. Seat-sharing arrangements have been finalised, with the BJP and JD(U) each contesting 101 seats and the remaining 41 going to their allies. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a key NDA face, seeks re-election amid a mix of appreciation for his governance model and criticism over his frequent alliance shifts that have raised questions about political credibility.
Challenging the NDA is the Mahagathbandhan or INDI Alliance, led by Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in alliance with the Indian National Congress and left parties, including CPI, CPI(ML), and CPI(M). Tejashwi, the youthful opposition leader, is positioning himself as the voice of Bihar’s next generation. His campaign centres on employment, education and youth empowerment, appealing to the state’s large young population frustrated with migration and limited job opportunities.
Amidst these established political forces, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj movement offers a fresh narrative. Kishor, once a political strategist behind major national campaigns, has turned reformist, advocating a people-driven movement based on development, accountability and governance. While he isn’t contesting elections himself, his campaign is drawing attention from voters tired of traditional caste and religion-based politics.
The Big Issues Shaping the Bihar Election 2025
At the heart of this election lie issues that directly affect everyday life. Unemployment and migration remain Bihar’s most pressing concerns. Every year, lakhs of young people leave the state in search of better work opportunities in other parts of India. Despite improvements in literacy and education levels, job creation has lagged behind. This frustration is reflected in the youth-driven campaigns that emphasise skill development and industrial growth.
Infrastructure and development are also central themes. While urban areas have seen visible progress in roads, electricity, and connectivity, rural Bihar still struggles with inconsistent access to healthcare, clean water, and a reliable power supply. Many voters believe that inclusive growth must extend beyond cities if Bihar is to progress meaningfully.
Education, though improving in terms of enrollment and literacy, suffers from inadequate employment opportunities for graduates. The mismatch between skills and market demand continues to push educated youth toward migration. Voters are demanding not just more schools and colleges, but a system that translates education into employability.
Corruption and governance are other significant talking points. After years of alternating leadership, voters are questioning the effectiveness of policies and the accountability of leaders. Law and order issues, especially related to justice delivery and public safety, have also become major factors influencing voter sentiment.
The Shift from Caste to Performance-Based Voting
Bihar’s political history is closely tied to caste and religion-based voting, but the 2025 election could mark a slow yet visible shift. Traditionally, communities have voted along caste lines, shaping the state’s political structure. However, a growing number of young and urban voters are now thinking differently. They are prioritising development, employment and governance over caste loyalties.
This evolution in voting behaviour is gradually changing the political narrative. While identity politics still matters, the emphasis on work and performance shows Bihar’s maturing democracy. Many political observers believe that this trend could significantly influence election outcomes, particularly in urban and semi-urban constituencies where aspirations for growth and opportunity are highest.
Bihar’s Election and Its Impact on National Politics
Bihar’s political influence has always extended beyond its borders. The results of this election are expected to have a strong impact on the national stage, particularly on coalition dynamics at the Centre. The BJP’s strength in Parliament depends partly on allies like Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) and Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP. A major shift in Bihar could disrupt this balance, either strengthening or weakening the central coalition.
For the opposition, a strong performance in Bihar could inject new energy into the INDI Alliance, reshaping the political narrative ahead of the 2029 general elections. Political analysts agree that Bihar 2025 is not just about state governance; it’s a strategic battle that could redefine alliances and political equations in Delhi.
eVoting in Bihar
Even though eVoting is not permitted in this election, Bihar’s successful pilot programs during the 2025 municipal elections have sparked optimism about the future of online voting. With rising smartphone usage, widespread Aadhaar linkage and improved digital literacy, the state is now technically ready for secure digital elections.
Introducing eVoting in Bihar could revolutionise voter participation. It would allow millions of Biharis living outside the state, students, migrant workers and professionals to vote easily from wherever they are. This inclusivity would ensure that distance no longer prevents citizens from exercising their democratic rights.
Moreover, eVoting can significantly boost turnout by simplifying the process. Encryption-backed systems ensure transparency and prevent tampering, while digital audit trails make results verifiable and trustworthy. In a state like Bihar, where trust in governance and election management is crucial, digital voting could build stronger public confidence.
Why Right2Vote Is the Ideal Platform for Digital Elections
If Bihar were to adopt online voting in the near future, Right2Vote stands as the most credible and secure platform to make it possible. Right2Vote is officially approved by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and certified by STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification), ensuring full compliance with government standards for online elections in India.
With over a decade of experience, Right2Vote has successfully conducted more than 20,500 elections across 600+ election types, making it one of the pioneers in India’s eVoting ecosystem. Its ISO 27001 certification ensures adherence to global standards for data security and privacy, offering complete protection against unauthorised access or data breaches.
Right2Vote’s advanced security features include Aadhaar-based biometric authentication, multi-layer authentication, OTP verification, geo-tagging, IP tracking, and multi-key result access, ensuring that every vote is confidential, verifiable and tamper-proof. Voters can access the platform easily through any device, mobile, laptop or tablet, making participation both convenient and secure.
For administrators, Right2Vote offers an intuitive dashboard for managing voter lists, setting timelines, and delivering instant results. The platform is designed for quick setup and can be customised for various election types from housing societies and associations to corporate boards, trade unions and even insolvency cases.
Beyond security and convenience, Right2Vote brings innovation and engagement into the voting process. Features like voter selfies, personalised invitations and reminders create a more interactive experience, encouraging higher voter turnout and making elections more participatory.
Summary
The Bihar Election 2025 will decide not just who governs the state but also how India envisions its democratic future. As political battles intensify and issues like employment, governance, and transparency take centre stage, voters are increasingly demanding better systems both in politics and in the process of voting itself. The rise of eVoting is not far away, and with trusted platforms like Right2Vote, the future of Indian democracy looks more inclusive, secure, and transparent than ever.
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