Bihar’s Mobile Voting May Usher in Digital Democratic Revolution
A public meeting of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in Banka, Bihar (Image credit X @TejashiYadav)
First-of-its-kind initiative enables home-based e-voting, promising accessibility and inclusion—but experts urge caution on digital security
By AMIT KUMAR
PATNA, June 28, 2025 – In a potentially transformative step for Indian democracy, Bihar has become the first state to pilot mobile phone-based e-voting in municipal elections. While still in its experimental stage, this initiative may pave the way for nationwide electoral reforms—if it can overcome concerns around digital security and integrity.
Announced by State Election Commissioner Deepak Prasad on Friday, the pilot project is being implemented in six municipal councils across Patna, Rohtas, and East Champaran districts. Voters can now cast their ballots from home using the e-SECBHR mobile app or the Bihar Election Commission’s website.
“This facility is designed for those unable to reach polling stations due to physical or locational constraints, such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and migrant voters,” said Prasad. The project’s stated goal is to enhance accessibility and inclusivity—two critical aspects of a modern democratic system.
The app, developed jointly by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and the Bihar State Election Commission, is currently available for Android users. Voters must link their registered mobile numbers to the electoral roll and verify their identity via OTP and voter ID authentication. To prevent misuse, the system limits access to two voters per mobile number. Votes are encrypted, locked until the official counting process, and backed by a verifiable audit trail, similar to the VVPAT mechanism used with EVMs.
Commissioner Prasad assured that “robust digital security measures make the system tamper-proof.” However, in an era of rising cyber threats, that claim will be put to the test—particularly if the model is considered for wider application.
Importantly, the initiative shines a light on a longstanding electoral challenge: the disenfranchisement of internal migrant workers. Bihar, a major source of migration within India, sees lakhs of residents relocating to other states for employment. Often, they are unable to vote either due to the absence of voter registration at their place of work or the prohibitive cost of returning home solely to cast a ballot.
This pilot offers a practical solution to that problem—and one that could, in time, significantly raise voter participation. India’s election turnout typically ranges between 50% and 65%. That leaves at least one-third of eligible voters unrepresented, undermining the full legitimacy of electoral mandates. If digital voting platforms can be secured and scaled, India could realistically aim for voter participation rates of 80-90%.
However, caution is key. Any adoption of digital voting at scale must be preceded by exhaustive security testing, stakeholder consultation, and public transparency. Earning the trust of voters, political parties, and civil society will be as critical as the technology itself.
Bihar’s e-voting pilot may be small in scale, but its implications are vast. If successful, it could serve as a model not only for other Indian states but for democracies around the world grappling with similar issues of access, mobility, and trust.
Follow The Raisina Hills on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn
About The Author
