The Election Commission of India's scheduling of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections immediately following the Chhath Puja festival underscores a deliberate alignment between the state's socio-religious rhythms and its democratic process. With voting set for November 6 and 11 across two phases and results due on November 14, the nine-day gap after Chhath—celebrated from October 25 to 28—aims to maximise participation from Bihar's vast migrant workforce. This approach, honed over decades, reflects a rare consensus among political parties to accommodate the festival's cultural significance, ensuring that the return of millions of labourers from cities like Delhi and Mumbai translates into higher voter turnout.

Bihar's 7.42 crore registered voters, including over 75 lakh migrants, form a pivotal demographic in the battle for the 243-seat assembly, where 122 seats secure a majority. The migrant community, often from marginalised sections and engaged in low-wage jobs, cannot typically afford dual trips home—for voting and festivities—within weeks.

By placing polls post-Chhath, the ECI addresses this barrier, as evidenced by historical trends. In 2005, with four phases overlapping Chhath's start, turnout languished at 45.85%, favouring the JD(U)-BJP alliance's 143-seat win. By 2010, a six-phase schedule with an 11-day buffer post-festival lifted participation to 52.73%, propelling the same coalition to 206 seats amid improved migrant returns.

This pattern persisted: 2015's five phases, ending 10 days before Chhath (November 15-18), saw turnout climb to 56.91%, delivering victory to the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan's 178 seats. The 2020 elections, concluding November 7 with an 11-day lead-up to Chhath (November 18-21), nudged figures to 57.29%, enabling the NDA's narrow three-seat edge despite RJD's strong 75-seat haul.

For 2025, the post-festival timing—coupled with reforms like the Special Intensive Revision purging 69 lakh duplicate entries—could push turnout toward 60%, though some analysts warn of potential dips if migrants linger for Diwali (October 20) preparations. The ECI's 17 new measures, including enhanced booth webcasting and voter facilitation, further aim to streamline the process.

Also Read: Election Commission to Reveal Crucial Bihar Poll Schedule at 4 PM Today

Beyond logistics, Chhath's interplay with politics amplifies its electoral weight. The BJP-led NDA, under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, leverages the festival's communal spirit through initiatives like grand celebrations in Delhi—now BJP-governed under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta—to foster goodwill among Bihari migrants. Past controversies, such as AAP's alleged neglect during its Delhi tenure, have been weaponised by BJP and Congress to court this bloc.

As the INDIA alliance, spearheaded by RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, counters with promises on migration and jobs, Chhath emerges not just as a harvest ritual but as a barometer of voter sentiment. With campaigns pausing during the puja, the festival's unifying ethos could subtly sway undecideds in a polarised contest, making this "equation" a cornerstone of Bihar's electoral calculus.

Also Read: Election Commissioners to Visit Patna to Review Bihar Poll Preparedness