Security arrangements across Bihar have been intensified ahead of the second and final phase of the 2025 assembly elections scheduled for November 11. According to senior officials, more than four lakh personnel from various forces have been deployed to ensure peaceful, free, and fair polling across 122 constituencies participating in this round.

The scale of deployment reflects both the magnitude of the electoral exercise and the administration’s effort to maintain law and order following a record turnout in the first phase.

Massive Force Mobilisation

An Election Commission official stated that more than four lakh personnel are currently on poll duty, covering every aspect of security, from guarding polling booths to securing strongrooms and managing crowd control. This deployment includes multiple layers of central, state, and auxiliary forces.

Ahead of the polls, around 500 companies (approximately 50,000 personnel) of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were already stationed in Bihar for pre-election duties. An additional 500 companies arrived subsequently to bolster the state’s preparations. In the third week of October, yet another 500 companies were deployed, marking one of the largest-ever central force mobilisations for a state election in Bihar.

Alongside CAPF, more than 60,000 personnel of the Bihar Police have been assigned election responsibilities. Reinforcements from other states have also joined, including approximately 2,000 personnel from reserve battalions, 30,000 members of the Bihar Special Armed Police, and over 20,000 home guards.

The security network has been further strengthened by the inclusion of around 19,000 trainee constables and nearly 1.5 lakh chowkidars—rural-level police workers—assigned to duties spread across both phases of the elections.

Polling Stations and Sensitive Areas

The second phase will see voting at 45,399 polling stations, with 40,073 located in rural areas. In response to queries regarding sensitive polling centres, a senior official emphasised that all polling booths are being treated with equal importance from a security perspective. This approach is intended to prevent targeted disruptions and maintain consistent preparedness across districts.

High Voter Engagement in Phase One

The first phase of the election, held across 121 constituencies, witnessed what officials described as the “highest ever” voter turnout in the state—over 65 per cent. The strong participation has heightened expectations for the second round while prompting authorities to ensure robust security measures to maintain confidence among voters.

With Phase Two poised to bring the electoral process to its conclusion, Bihar’s extensive multi-force deployment aims to facilitate orderly polling across all constituencies. The administration expects that the reinforcement of security, coupled with vigilant monitoring, will help preserve the integrity of the election as voters return to the booths on November 11.