Patna: Bihar is poised to make a significant change in its Panchayat elections, as the State Election Commission (SEC) implements multi-post electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the first time. In the 2026 Panchayat General Elections, voters will be able to select candidates for six positions simultaneously using a single EVM, without the option of ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA). The SEC has ordered over 32,000 multi-post EVMs from Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad, along with necessary accessories such as power packs, totaliser machines, and detachable memory modules. These new machines will replace the older M-3 model that was previously utilized in the state’s Panchayat elections.
Each machine features a control unit and six ballot units, allowing for streamlined voting for various positions including ward members, Mukhiya, Panch, Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti members, and Zila Parishad members. Dr. Deepak Prasad, the State Election Commissioner, noted that these EVMs not only permit voting for six posts at once but can also be adapted to accommodate up to eight posts if necessary. In scenarios where there are more than 15 candidates for a single position, two ballot units will be employed. The state government has allocated Rs 208 crore to the SEC to support the elections, which are slated to occur between November and December 2026.
Historically, Bihar’s Panchayat elections occur in ten phases, and the new multi-post EVMs are anticipated to make both voting and counting processes more efficient at each polling station.