Key facts
- Political parties collected Rs 281.32 crore during the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
- Total expenditure by these parties was Rs 193.47 crore.
- Publicity constituted the largest portion of spending at 36.68%.
- Travel expenses and lump-sum payments to candidates were significant expenditure heads.
- The report analyzed statements from five national and five regional parties.
Political parties contesting the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections collected a total of Rs 281.32 crore and spent Rs 193.47 crore, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
The report analyzed expenditure statements filed by five national parties (BJP, Congress, AAP, BSP, CPI(M)) and five regional parties (RJD, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), AIMIM, CPI). The total expenditure declared by these 10 parties was Rs 193.466 crore, leaving a gap of nearly Rs 88 crore between funds raised and expenditure declared.
Publicity emerged as the single largest expenditure head, accounting for Rs 100.429 crore, or 36.68% of the total spending. Travel expenses constituted the second-largest component at Rs 79.539 crore, followed by lump-sum payments to candidates at Rs 62.072 crore.
Expenditure on virtual campaigning through social media and digital means was Rs 13.074 crore. Parties also spent Rs 3.886 crore on publishing the criminal antecedents of candidates, as mandated by the Election Commission. Miscellaneous expenses amounted to Rs 14.804 crore.
The ADR report noted that political parties are required to submit detailed statements of funds collected and expenditure incurred to the Election Commission within a prescribed time limit after elections.