Bihar Assembly Elections: Tight Multi-Tier Security as Counting Begins Across All 243 Seats

Patna, Nov 2025: The counting of votes for all 243 constituencies in the Bihar Assembly election began on Friday morning under an extensive, multi-layered security setup across the state.

The counting process commenced at 8 a.m. with the scrutiny of postal ballots, followed by the opening of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at 8.30 a.m. To ensure complete transparency and security, a three-tier cordon has been put in place around all 46 counting centres spread across 38 districts.

The innermost security ring—covering strongrooms and counting halls—is managed by the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). The second and third layers, forming the outer perimeter, are secured by the Bihar Police and district police units. More than 106 companies of central forces from outside the state have been deployed to reinforce the security arrangements.

Strongrooms containing EVMs and VVPATs were kept under uninterrupted round-the-clock CCTV surveillance from the time polling concluded until counting began. Candidates and their authorised agents were allowed to monitor security arrangements outside the inner perimeter to maintain confidence in the process.

Gayaji SSP Anand Kumar said, “All necessary preparations have been completed. Each strongroom has a three-layer security system. Every entry point and surrounding sensitive zone has been secured with adequate deployment of CAPF personnel.”

In Bhojpur, Superintendent of Police Raj stated, “We have made all arrangements in accordance with the prescribed norms. Security barricades have been set up across the town, and the same system has been replicated in subdivision areas. A total of eight CAPF companies are deployed to maintain law and order throughout the district.”

Bhagalpur Municipal Commissioner Shubham Kumar added, “Counting is underway for the Gopalpur, Bihpur, and Sultanganj Assembly constituencies. A magistrate is deployed at every counting point. All candidates have been informed, and polling agents are being given entry as per protocol.”

The counting process is supervised by 243 Returning Officers and an equal number of Counting Observers appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI). More than 18,000 counting agents representing various candidates are also present. Only individuals with authorised passes are allowed inside the centres, and the use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited within counting halls to maintain security and prevent information leaks.

The Election Commission has urged the public and media to refer exclusively to official platforms for accurate updates. Real-time trends and results are being published on the ECI’s results portal and the Voter Helpline App.