Bihar Launches India’s First Mobile E-Voting System for 2025 Urban Polls

In a pioneering and technologically advanced step, the Bihar State Election Commission (SEC) has introduced India's first mobile-based e-voting system, a significant step towards the digitization of the nation's electoral process. The pilot project will come into effect during the Urban Local Body elections on June 28, 2025, that could transform the manner in which millions of Indians vote particularly those who are usually excluded from the conventional voting system.

Mobile E-Voting System

Bihar has made a bold move by implementing remote mobile e-voting using Android handsets to make voting easier, safer, and more efficient. Underlying the effort is the need to reach out to voters who are otherwise inaccessible to polling stations, including migrant workers, elderly voters, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and serious patients.

This e-voting system on mobile is likely to minimize voter drop-off while maximizing democratic participation at the grassroots level a shining example of technology bridging governance.

Dual-App System Developed for E-Voting

To facilitate this remote voting mechanism, two dedicated mobile applications have been developed:

• “e-Voting SECBHR” – Created by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)

• Bihar SEC's Official Voting App – Developed specifically for the state's election needs

These apps will allow voters to register, verify their identity, and cast their votes remotely, eliminating the need for physical presence at polling stations.

How Does the Mobile E-Voting System Work?

The process has been streamlined to ensure a user-friendly experience backed by cutting-edge security technology. Here's how it works:

• Voter Registration: Eligible voters must register via the app and provide consent to vote remotely.

• AI-Powered Identity Verification: Voters are required to take a live selfie, which is matched against their official voter ID photo using AI-based facial recognition.

• Remote Voting: Once verified, voters can cast their vote securely from anywhere — without stepping into a polling booth.

Who Stands to Gain the Most?

This system is especially beneficial for those who typically face hurdles in participating in elections:

• Migrant Workers: No need to travel back to their home state

• Senior Citizens & Pregnant Women: Vote from the comfort of their homes

• Persons with Disabilities (PwDs): No need for physical movement to booths

• Patients with Critical Illnesses: Can still exercise their right to vote without jeopardizing their health

By removing physical and logistical barriers, Bihar’s mobile e-voting model puts the power of democracy in every eligible voter’s hands quite literally.

Uncompromising Focus on Security and Transparency

To ensure that the mobile e-voting process remains tamper-proof and trustworthy, the Bihar SEC has integrated multiple layers of advanced security measures:

• Blockchain Infrastructure: Ensures data integrity and immutability of votes

• Live Liveness Detection: Confirms that the voter is physically present and alive during authentication

• AI-Based Facial Matching: Prevents impersonation through advanced facial verification

• Audit Trail Feature: Similar to VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail), this allows for transparent post-voting audits and verifications

Setting a National Precedent

By taking this historic step, Bihar stands as the first Indian state to formally adopt remote e-voting through mobile apps. It is a pilot program that may set the pattern for electoral reforms in India in the future. If the experiment succeeds, other states might adopt it, and India's electoral system would be changed into an all-encompassing and digital-friendly format.

As India continues to push deeper into the age of digitalization, Bihar's mobile e-voting program is an example of farsighted governance energized by intelligent technology. Not only does it make electoral participation more secure but also shows the way towards innovation as a means of bridging social divides. By democratizing democracy and making it more transparent, Bihar is creating a future that is more inclusive and technologically empowered.