Bihar is the first Indian state to successfully roll out mobile-based e-voting, utilizing blockchain technology via Polygon. The pilot was executed in the context of municipal by-elections in 42 municipalities over 26 districts and had the objective of making the voting process more accessible and transparent.
The e-voting facility was offered to 51,157 registered voters and realized a high turnout of almost 70%. Two special mobile apps were utilized and built by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and the other by the Bihar State Election Commission.
The two apps included biometric authentication and facial recognition to validate voter identity and avoid duplication.
E-Voting Powered by Polygon
While the internal voting was conducted on a private chain named Doc Chain, developed by Print2Block, final vote proofs were secured on Polygon’s public blockchain. This is a hybrid solution that provides both operational authority and public exposure that preserves data immutability and accountability.
Aishwary Gupta of Polygon stressed this as a major move toward digital democracy and proving how private and public blockchains can be leveraged together to address concrete world governance problems.
The system was meant to incorporate such voters as migrant laborers, elderly citizens, expectant mothers, and the disabled or those with serious illness to ease access for marginalized populations.
India’s Blockchain Aspirations Continue to Expand
Bihar is not alone. During the last few years, various Indian states have tried out blockchain solutions:
- Telangana: Agricultural supply chains, public distribution, vehicle records
- Maharashtra: Carbon Bank, Blockchain Sandbox
- Tamil Nadu: Introduced Nambikkai Inaiyam, a blockchain-based governance platform
- West Bengal, UP, AP, Kerala, Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka: Land registries, grievance systems, education credentials, and more
India is obviously optimistic about blockchain technology, however the government is still cautious about adopting cryptocurrency. The central government has levied a 30% tax on crypto profits and keeps postponing official legislation, despite making repeated assurances.
Although India remains hesitant on cryptocurrencies, it continues to explore blockchain technology for public use. A handful of other states have launched similar pilots in land records, government, and public distribution systems showing growing confidence in the ability of blockchain to revolutionize.
Also Read: BJP Politician: India Must Act Now on Stablecoin Regulation
