Bihar Becomes 1st State To Allow Voting Via Mobile Phone App: A Big Step Towards Digital Democracy
In a major step toward digital governance and inclusive elections, Bihar has become the first state in India to introduce mobile app-based voting for its upcoming urban local body elections. This new initiative allows eligible citizens to vote using their smartphones, without going to the polling booth physically.
Launched by the Bihar State Election Commission, this move is being seen as a potential game-changer for Indian democracy. If successful, it could be adopted by other states and even inspire future changes in how general elections are conducted across the country.
Let’s understand how Bihar’s mobile voting app works, who can register, and why this initiative matters so much for the future of India’s election system.
Bihar To Be First State To Allow Polling via Mobile App
Yes, you heard it right! Bihar is the first Indian state to introduce mobile phone-based voting. The Bihar State Election Commissioner, Deepak Prasad, announced the launch of the mobile e-voting system, which is set to be used in the municipal (urban local body) elections.
This new e-voting facility is not just about convenience, but it’s also aimed at increasing voter turnout, reducing costs of physical polling, and ensuring more inclusive participation, especially for the urban youth and migrants who often skip voting due to travel or work.
Bihar Launches India’s First Mobile E-Voting: How It Works?
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how the mobile voting app works for the Bihar elections:
Step 1 – Download the App
Eligible voters will need to download the official mobile voting app from the Play Store or App Store. The app is developed under strict cybersecurity guidelines to make it tamper-proof and secure.
Step 2 – Register Yourself
Voters must register themselves using their Voter ID, Aadhaar card, and a live selfie or short video for face recognition. This will help verify identity and prevent fraud.
Step 3 – Get Approval from Election Commission
Once registration is complete, the details will be verified by the Election Commission officials. Upon successful verification, the voter will receive a unique voting ID/token that will be used on polling day.
Step 4 – Vote Through Your Phone
On the election day, voters can open the app, use their token, and cast their vote securely. A biometric or face ID verification will be done again to ensure the right person is voting.
Bihar EC Explains How It’s ‘Tamper-Proof’
The biggest question in people’s minds is — Is it safe? What if the system gets hacked?
To answer this, Bihar Election Commission has stated that the app is developed with multiple layers of security, including:
- End-to-end encryption of votes
- Blockchain-like digital audit trail
- Facial recognition and Aadhaar verification
- One-device one-vote policy
- Offline mode restriction during vote casting
Election Commissioner Deepak Prasad clarified that no vote can be manipulated or seen by anyone, not even election officers. This is being treated with the same seriousness as physical polling.
“This app-based voting is tamper-proof and privacy-focused. The voter’s identity and choice will remain confidential,” said Deepak Prasad.
Who Can Register for Bihar’s Mobile Voting?
Initially, the mobile app voting is being offered for urban municipal polls in selected cities and pilot regions. Here’s who can register:
- Registered voters living in urban areas of Bihar
- Must have a valid Voter ID card
- Aadhaar-linked mobile number
- Smartphone (Android or iOS)
- Good-quality camera for selfie/video authentication
Right now, this facility is not for rural voters or general elections, but it may be expanded in the future based on the response and security evaluation.
Why Bihar’s Urban Polls Are a Test Case
India’s urban population is rising, but voter turnout in urban local body elections has remained low for years — mostly due to lack of awareness, busy schedules, or migration to other states.
With this mobile app voting system, Bihar hopes to:
- Attract young and tech-savvy voters
- Help migrant workers participate in elections
- Reduce logistical costs of physical polling
- Make the voting process more eco-friendly
If successful, this experiment could pave the way for mobile voting in other states like Maharashtra, Delhi, or Karnataka, where similar tech infrastructure is already present.
Mobile Voting Could Change Political Campaigning Too
One thing not many are talking about — but it’s important — is how mobile voting might change the entire election campaigning model in India.
Traditionally, political parties focus on ground-level campaigning, rallies, door-to-door canvassing, and large polling-day mobilisation. But with mobile app voting, a lot of that could shift to digital outreach — targeted ads, app notifications, WhatsApp groups, influencer-led awareness, etc.
It may level the playing field for smaller candidates or parties who don’t have the budget for massive rallies but can digitally connect with voters directly.
What Are the Risks or Concerns?
While the move is revolutionary, it’s not without concerns. Some experts have flagged:
- Digital divide – Not every voter owns a smartphone or knows how to use apps.
- Cybersecurity threats – India has seen a rise in cyber-attacks recently.
- Lack of legal framework – There’s no law yet that governs mobile e-voting.
- Possibility of proxy voting – If devices are shared in families, vote secrecy may be compromised.
The Bihar EC says all such issues are being monitored, and this launch is only a pilot phase, not a full rollout. Feedback from this exercise will be used to improve the system further.
Mobile Voting Globally: Where Does India Stand?
India is not the first country to try remote voting:
- Estonia has allowed internet-based voting since 2005
- Switzerland has experimented with blockchain voting
- The US has used online voting for overseas military personnel in some states
But India is the first in the world to use a mobile app for large-scale democratic elections in a state, with face recognition and Aadhaar integration — and that makes it globally significant.
How To Register: Simple Guide For Bihar Voters
If you’re a voter in Bihar and want to try this new system, here’s a summary:
Registration Guide
- Download the official voting app from Play Store/App Store
- Sign up using Voter ID + Aadhaar + mobile number
- Upload live selfie/video for verification
- Wait for approval from election officials
- Receive digital token for voting
On election day, log in using that token and cast your vote securely from anywhere.
The fact that Bihar becomes the 1st state to allow voting via mobile phone app is not just a headline — it’s a vision of what India’s digital democracy could look like.
While it will take time, careful implementation, and legal adjustments, this pilot shows that India is ready to reimagine elections in a digital-first era.
If it succeeds, this could be the beginning of a major electoral transformation, where voting becomes as easy as ordering food online — safe, fast, and secure.
