By The Sampadak Express
In a groundbreaking move, Bihar has become the first Indian state to introduce mobile app-based e-voting, allowing citizens to cast their vote remotely using their smartphones. The initiative was rolled out today, June 28, 2025, as part of a pilot project during the municipal elections across six councils in the state.
Revolutionizing the Voting Process
Announcing the development, Bihar State Election Commissioner Deepak Prasad said, “E-voting is being conducted in six municipal councils three in Patna and one each in Rohtas and East Champaran as part of the first-of-its-kind pilot program in the country.”
The app-based voting system is aimed at helping senior citizens, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, and those unable to physically reach polling booths.
Over 10,000 voters have registered for the trial, with 50,000 eligible to vote via the platform. Officials believe this initiative could lay the foundation for more accessible, inclusive, and tech-enabled elections across India.
How Bihar’s E-Voting App Works
The e-voting system is built with advanced digital safeguards and technologies to ensure security, transparency, and authenticity:
Blockchain Integration: Votes are stored in an immutable digital ledger, preventing tampering and ensuring transparency.
Facial Recognition: AI-based face matching verifies voter identity at the time of login and voting.
OCR-Based Vote Counting: Optical Character Recognition ensures accuracy in digital vote counting.
Audit Trail: A digital audit mechanism mimics the VVPAT system used in EVMs, offering a verifiable paper-like trail.
Digital Locking: EVM strongrooms used in parallel voting are protected with high-grade digital locks.
To prevent misuse, strict access protocols are in place:
1. Only two voters can register per mobile number.
2. Each vote is validated against the voter’s official ID details.
How to Register for E-Voting
Eligible voters can participate in the e-voting process by following these steps:
1. Download the e-SECBHR App: Available currently for Android devices only.
2. Register with Your Mobile Number: The number must match the one linked to your electoral record.
3. Verification: Once verified, you can cast your vote via:
The official State Election Commission website, or
Directly through the e-SECBHR app on election day.
Officials assure that the process is designed to be intuitive, even for first-time digital voters.
A Step Towards Future Elections
With this pioneering step, Bihar is setting a precedent for digital democracy in India. If successful, the model could be scaled up for larger elections, enhancing voter participation and making the democratic process more accessible for all.
