Bihar Becomes India’s First State to Launch Mobile E-Voting: A Digital Democracy Breakthrough in 2025 -

Bihar Leads the Way: India’s First State to Offer Mobile E‑Voting

On June 28, 2025, Bihar made history. It became India’s first state to conduct municipal and urban local body elections using a mobile phone–based e‑voting system, opening a new chapter in digital democracy. Powered by two Android apps “e‑Voting SECBHR” developed by C‑DAC and another by the Bihar State Election Commission the pilot was rolled out across 42 municipalities in 26 districts, including Patna, East Champaran, and Buxar.

Why Bihar’s Initiative Matters

Boosting Voter Participation
The initiative aims to empower traditionally underrepresented groups senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, ill patients, and migrant workers by eliminating physical barriers to voting. Over 10,000 early adopters registered, with expectations of reaching 50,000 voters in this pilot phase.
Historic Milestone in India’s Electoral Reforms
Bihar’s mobile e‑voting marks the country’s first use of a smartphone for voting in local body elections. While Estonia famously pioneered national online voting in 2005, India’s adoption at the local level represents a monumental benchmark in global electoral history.

How It Worked: Tech & Transparency

App Eligibility & Registration
Voters registered via the e‑Voting SECBHR or SEC Bihar apps, linking their registered electoral roll information and smartphones. Only pre‑registered users with Android phones could cast votes.
Security Measures
The system integrates:
- Blockchain-based recording for tamper-proof vote logs.
- Biometric face recognition & liveness detection to verify identity.
- Audit trails akin to VVPAT.
- Additional protections including OCR, digital locks for EVM strong rooms.

These layers aim to ensure voter privacy, authenticity, and election integrity .

Pilot Phase Focus
The service was limited to municipal and Nagar Panchayat by‑elections in six urban centers (e.g., Patna, Buxar, Rohtas, East Champaran), planned to be extended to broader local polls based on pilot outcomes.

Results & Impact

High e‑Voting Uptake
Approximately 70% of eligible voters chose the e‑voting route, while 6% also voted in-person, totaling about 62.4% turnout across conventional and digital channels.
Inclusive Reach and Accessibility
Notably, some voters cast ballots from abroad such as Dubai and Qatar highlighting the system’s reach for migrant communities. One milestone moment: Bibha Kumari of Pakridayal, East Champaran, became India’s first mobile‑voter.

Opportunities & Challenges Ahead

Benefits

Greater inclusion for marginalized voters.
Reduced logistical burden of physical infrastructure.
Enhances convenience and boosts urban voter turnout.

Concerns

Digital divide: reliance on smartphones and internet access may exclude others.
Security & privacy: despite robust tech, risks remain around hacking, coercion, and remote voting integrity.
Regulatory clarity: the legal framework under the Representation of People Act needs clear guidelines for national implementation.

What’s Next for Bihar—and India

Scaling Up: If successful, the system may expand to other municipal areas and rural panchayats.
Review & Refinement: Data from the pilot will guide improvements in security, user accessibility, and outreach.
National Implications: Bihar’s model could serve as a blueprint for mobile e‑voting in broader state and national elections.

Conclusion

Bihar’s initiative on June 28, 2025 becoming India’s first mobile e‑voting state is a bold leap toward technologically inclusive democracy. While rooted in advancing digital governance, it also surfaces critical questions on equity, security, and legislation. The remarkable 70% e-voting participation, along with international access for migrants, demonstrates the system’s potential. Yet, moving forward demands a balanced approach scaling with caution, reinforcing security, and ensuring that technological innovation uplifts all voters, not just the digitally privileged. If Bihar’s pilot proves resilient and inclusive, it may well mark the start of India’s digital voting revolution.

Sources:

More Current Affairs: https://learnproacademy.in/updates/