In an interview with Akashvani News, State Election Commissioner Deepak Prasad mentioned that this initiative will kick off with the upcoming elections on June 28, enabling voters to participate without the need to go to polling booths.
The e-voting effort will be facilitated through two mobile applications—one named “e-Voting SECBHR,” created by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), and another developed by the Bihar State Election Commission. Both apps incorporate advanced technologies designed to ensure secure and verifiable voting.
Prasad explained to Akashvani News that the system features blockchain integration, liveness detection, facial recognition, live face scans, and face comparison to prevent impersonation. An audit trail akin to the VVPAT system used in EVMs has also been included to boost transparency and trust in the electoral process.
The mobile e-voting system is primarily being introduced to assist voters who encounter difficulties in reaching polling booths. Prasad noted that the initiative would particularly benefit migrant workers, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, elderly citizens, and those who are seriously ill, as they often face challenges in casting their votes.
He also mentioned that 10,000 voters have already registered for this system, with a target of accommodating up to 50,000 voters in the upcoming elections.
The e-voting platform is a component of a larger digital initiative by the Bihar State Election Commission, which has already rolled out several technological advancements in the electoral process. These innovations include the Face Recognition System (FRS) for voter verification, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for vote counting, and digital locks for securing EVM strongrooms.
Prasad conveyed to Akashvani News that the goal is to enhance voter turnout and make the electoral process more inclusive and accessible, particularly for those historically marginalized due to logistical or physical barriers.
The State Election Commission notes that Estonia is the only nation that has successfully implemented a nationwide mobile-based e-voting system to date.
