CONTEXT

• Bihar has become the first Indian state to deploy a mobile‑based e‑voting system for municipal and urban local body polls. It’s a pilot set to run for the June 28, 2025 elections

CONCEPT & TECHNOLOGY

• The system operates via two Android apps:
  • e‑Voting SECBHR (developed by C‑DAC)
  • A second app by the Bihar State Election Commission
• Core security features:
  • Blockchain platform for immutable vote recording
  • Biometric verification – liveness detection, face matching, live face scanning
  • Audit trail similar to VVPAT with verifiable receipts

Inclusive Reach

• Targets migrant workers, senior citizens, pregnant women, divyang voters, and seriously ill individuals who might find it difficult to reach polling booths
• Already 10,000 voters registered; expected to allow up to 50,000 votes via mobile

Global & Historical Context

• Before this, only a handful of places worldwide (e.g., Estonia) used nationwide remote e‑voting
• Bihar SEC has a track record: they previously implemented Face Recognition System, OCR for vote counting, digital EVM locks, and more

Significance & Expected Benefits

• Makes voting more accessible, transparent, and secure.
• Aims to increase voter turnout in urban areas—especially among underserved segments.
• Could serve as a model for national rollout if successful