Explained | From colour photos on EVMs to 1200 voters at each polling booth: 17 key changes in Bihar polls

Calling the Bihar elections as 'mother of all elections', the CEC said the Commission will roll out 17 new initiatives, ahead of the Assembly, which could be implemented across the country in the future.

The Election Commission announced the dates for the Bihar Assembly polls on Monday. It will be held in two phases, on November 6 and 11, and the counting will take place on November 14.

The Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar also announced new reforms that will be implemented in Bihar polls.

Calling the Bihar elections as "mother of all elections", he said the Commission will roll out 17 new initiatives, which could be implemented across the country in the future.

We explain the 17 reforms that will be implemented in Bihar polls.

100% webcasting at polling stations

To ensure the polling occurs smoothly, EC has issued instructions for webcasting in all of the state's polling stations for the purpose of monitoring the process durations.

Special Intensive Revision in Bihar

A model of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) outside Election Commission of India (ECI) office, in New Delhi.

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is to ensure no ineligible person is included in the Electoral Rolls and no eligible voter is left out during the polling.

Enhanced remuneration for officials

A booth-level officer helps a woman verify her name in the voting list outside a polling station. Representative purpose

The Election Commission has increased remuneration for the officials on duty. As per the PIB report, remuneration doubled for BLOs, enhanced for BLO Supervisors and polling/counting staff, CAPF, micro-observers and monitoring teams.

Training of Booth Level Agents

Representative image of voting.

Extensive training for Booth Level Agents (BLAs), appointed by political parties recognised in Bihar, was provided for the first time. The training was in-line with requirements of the polling to ensure an error-free process.

Training of Booth Level Officers

Image showing a person getting their finger inked after voting. (For representational purposes).

In another first, over 7,000 BLOs and BLO Supervisors trained at IIIDEM, New Delhi. In addition to the reform, BLO module is a dedicated module for BLOs under ECINET App has been provided for performing their tasks digitally.

Training of police officers

Representative image showing a police officer.

Police officers have been provided with special training to ensure law-and-order is maintained.

Free delivery of EPIC

Young and first time voters show their new voters ID during National Voters Day organised by Election Commission of India at Town Hall in Bengaluru.

A new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aims to guarantee the delivery of the Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) within 15 days of voter registration before the last date of filing nomination.

Photo ID Cards for BLOs

Representative image of a voter ID card.

Standard Photo ID Cards have been issued to the BLOs who will be present to ensure transparency at the field and enable public trust through the polling.

Clearer Voter Information Slip (VIS)

Women voters show their voting slips at a women-only polling station.

The PIB report states, the VIS will include information like polling station, date, time amongst other details. with QR code but not the photograph of the voter.

To easily identify the polling station, the serial number and part number of the voter will be prominently displayed in larger font size at the top right corner of the VIS.

One-stop digital platform

ECINET home page.

The EC is utilizing technological services, like the ECINET app. It is a unified platform with a unique data delivery dashboard as per the role of each stakeholder. The application is an integration of over 40 existing mobile and web applications of the ECI such as ETPBMS, MCC Violation, ENCORE, Polling trends etc.

Mobile deposit facility at polling stations

Representative image of phone.

A mobile phone deposit facility for voters will be provided outside the entrance of the polling station. Mobile phones will be allowed within only 100 meters of a polling station in switch off mode.

The voter shall hand over the mobile phone (after switching it off), before entering into the designated polling station, to the volunteer in-charge who shall issue a pre-numbered token to the voter.

After casting the vote, the voter shall return the token and receive their mobile phone. The phone can and shall not be switched on within 100-meter periphery of the polling station.

Candidate booths allowed outside 100 metres of polling station

A voter makes a thumb impression before casting vote at a polling booth. Representative image

Booths by candidates on the day of polls for issuing unofficial identity slips to electors can be set up just beyond 100 metres of any polling station.

Limit of 1,200 voters in polling station

People wait in a queue to cast their votes. Image for representative purposes.

Not more than 1,200 electors per Polling Station to reduce crowding and shorter queues.

Guidelines revised for EVM ballot unit

Polling officials carrying EVMs to a counting centre. Image for representative purposes.

The ECI has decided to print the candidates' coloured photograph on the EVM ballot unit. It has also been requested that candidate’s face will occupy three-fourths of the photo space for better clarity.

Streamlining counting of postal ballots

People casting votes through a postal ballot and EVM.

The Commission has decided that the penultimate (second last) round of EVM counting shall not be taken up until the counting of postal Ballot Papers is completed at the counting center. This will be applicable only at the counting centers where Postal ballot Paper counting is being done.

Mandatory VVPAT count for identify mismatches

Photo of an EVM with VVPAT.

VVPAT counting to ensured in each and every case of mismatch between Form 17C and EVM data will be conducted.

Streamlined Index Reports and Cards

Image of a person assessing a digital report for representative purposes.

In a method to promote digital issuance of cards to make data accessibility easier, a facility has been provided to the Returning Officer to fill Index card online after counting.

It contains each detail of election from the schedule of election to the declaration of results such as data on nomination, turnout and counting. ECINET module will now facilitate publishing of the index card within 72 hours post declaration of results.

The 17 reforms, including various other implementations, will ensure the election process go smoothly. The EC had also visited Bihar on October 4 and 5 to review poll preparedness, and meet up with political parties to collect feedback on various considerations before the Assembly elections schedule was announced.