The full Election Commission is likely to visit Bihar soon, according to sources. The trip may happen before the announcement of polling dates, expected in the first week of October. “It is a norm for the full Commission to visit a poll-bound state to apprise itself about preparedness before announcing the election schedule," an EC official said.

Leaders to Head the Visit

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with the two Election Commissioners, is expected to lead the visit. The timing could coincide with the publication of the final voter list on September 30. This list is being prepared under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which also ends on the same day. Officials in Bihar noted that the visit may overlap with the completion of the voter roll update.

Supreme Court Review Looms

The visit comes just days before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear final arguments on the legality of the SIR exercise on October 7. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi stated it presumes the Election Commission, as a constitutional authority, is following the law. However, the court warned that the voter roll revision could be invalidated if found illegal.

Assembly Term Ends in November

The current Bihar Legislative Assembly’s term ends on November 22. This means a new assembly must be elected and sworn in before that date.

Bihar Polls: Key Contestants

The Bihar elections 2025 are shaping up as a key political contest. The BJP and its ally JD(U) will face the Mahagathbandhan, led by Congress and RJD. Nitish Kumar started his seventh term with the BJP, later switched to the opposition, helped launch the INDIA bloc, and eventually returned to the BJP-led alliance.

Bihar Polls Set Stage for Upcoming Elections

These elections will influence India’s broader electoral cycle. Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu will vote in 2026, followed by Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and other states in 2027. The results will shape the lead-up to the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.