The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced the schedule for biennial elections to fill nine vacancies in the Bihar Legislative Council. The elections will be held on March 24, 2025, with the notification to be issued on February 28.
Key Dates and Details
The biennial elections are being conducted to replace members whose terms are ending. According to the ECI, the last date for filing nominations is March 7, while scrutiny will take place on March 10. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 12. Voting will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM on March 24, and counting of votes will take place on the same day from 5 PM onwards.
Seat Distribution
The nine seats up for election are distributed across various local bodies constituencies in Bihar. These include seats from Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Purnia, Saran, and two from the Munger division. The elections are crucial for the ruling Grand Alliance and the opposition BJP-led NDA as they seek to strengthen their positions in the upper house of the state legislature.
Political Significance
The biennial polls are significant as the Bihar Legislative Council currently has 75 members, and these elections will fill the vacancies caused by the retirement of members from various parties. The ruling Mahagathbandhan, comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal (United), and Congress, will be keen to maintain its majority in the council. The opposition BJP and its allies are looking to make inroads.
Electoral Process
The elections will be conducted through the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. Members of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, as well as elected members of local bodies such as municipalities and district boards, form the electorate for these seats. The ECI has urged all political parties to ensure a free and fair election process.
Previous Elections
In the last biennial elections for the Bihar Legislative Council held in 2022, the ruling coalition had performed well, winning most of the seats. However, the upcoming elections are expected to be keenly contested, with both alliances fielding strong candidates. The ECI has also directed the state administration to ensure adequate security arrangements during the polling and counting process.
