NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the schedule for the Bihar assembly elections and bypolls in select states at 4 pm today. The announcement comes after the poll body conducted a two-day review of preparedness in Bihar, meeting political parties and enforcement agencies to ensure free, fair, and smooth elections.The electoral battle is expected to be largely a direct contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by chief minister Nitish Kumar, and the Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by the Tejashwi Yadav of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Tejash. The 243-member Bihar Assembly currently has 131 NDA seats and 111 Mahagathbandhan seats.
ECI reviews new initiatives
On Sunday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar announced that 17 new initiatives have been implemented for the Bihar polls. Speaking at a press conference in Patna, he said, “Seventeen new initiatives have been successfully implemented in Bihar; some will be implemented in the conduct of elections, and some in counting.”Highlighting improvements in voter list management, the CEC said, “Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are responsible for preparing the voter list. In Bihar, there is an ERO in each of the 243 assembly constituencies. Together, they, along with 243 EROs and 90,207 BLOs, completed the task of cleansing the voter list after nearly 22 years.”Other measures include doubling remuneration for BLOs, BLO supervisors, polling and counting staff, CAPF, monitoring teams, and micro-observers. Provision of honorarium has also been extended to EROs and AEROs for the first time, along with enhanced refreshments. Mobile phone deposit counters outside polling stations and colour photographs of candidates on EVMs are among other reforms. The CEC added, “Hundred percent webcasting will be carried out in every booth during the Bihar polls.”
Political parties seek phased elections post-Chhath
During its visit, the ECI met with representatives of national and state parties, including AAP, BSP, BJP, CPI(M), Congress, NPP, CPI(ML), JD(U), LJP, RJD, and RLJP, seeking suggestions to ensure maximum voter participation. Party representatives urged holding elections after Chhath, Bihar’s most important festival, and in minimal phases.JD(U) Bihar president Umesh Singh Kushwaha said, “We have urged the ECI to conduct elections in a single phase and just right after Chhath Puja so that people living outside the state can also cast their vote.” BJP Bihar chief Dilip Jaiswal said, “We have also called for marches of paramilitary forces in backward areas to make sure people are at ease.”The final electoral roll, published on September 30, lists 7.42 crore electors compared to 7.89 crore as of June 24. The NDA currently holds 131 seats (BJP 80, JD(U) 45, HAM(S) 4, 2 Independents), while the Mahagathbandhan holds 111 seats (RJD 77, Congress 19, CPI(ML) 11, CPI(M) 2, CPI 2).Political activity has intensified across Bihar, with parties trading charges and ramping up campaigns ahead of the high-stakes elections. Go to Source
