The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ramped up its preparations for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Bihar, assuring that the entire process will be concluded ahead of the state assembly’s term expiry. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar announced that the elections will be completed before November 22.
The CEC, addressing reporters, further stated that key reforms being piloted in Bihar are set to be adopted nationwide in the future. Speaking on the new initiatives, he noted, “SIR will be conducted across the country, like in Bihar”. The Commission’s team has been on the ground in Bihar for two days, holding extensive consultations to ensure meticulous preparation for all 243 Assembly constituencies.
Over the past two days, the ECI’s full team has been actively engaged in Patna. Meetings were held with various essential groups, including political parties, administrative election officials, top state administrative officers, and enforcement agencies.
The Commission also met with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the Special Police Nodal Officer (SPNO), and the Nodal Officers for the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to fully secure the preparations. This multi-pronged approach underscores the ECI’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, and orderly election process in the state.
The Election Commission has announced significant changes aimed at streamlining the voting process and enhancing voter comfort and security. A major logistical shift involves capping the number of electors per polling station.
The Commission informed that moving forward, “Now there will not be more than 1200 voters at any polling booth”). This change is intended to improve both the polling process and security arrangements. Furthermore, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will directly contact voters and have been provided with ID cards to facilitate easy identification. In a move to manage technology on polling day, a new convenience has been introduced: “The facility to submit mobile phones and then vote has also been started so that voters do not bring mobile phones to the polling booth”.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar highlighted the ECI’s focus on leveraging technology to boost transparency, confirming that a one-stop digital platform will be implemented. The Commission also affirmed its commitment to transparency in the polling process itself.
“There will be 100% webcasting at all polling stations,” the Chief Election Commissioner stated. In a move to clarify candidate identification on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the new ballot papers will be redesigned. The CEC confirmed that “instead of black and white ballot papers on the EVM, there will now be colourful photos and serial numbers on the ballot paper, which will make it easier to identify candidates and make the voting process transparent”. Finally, the CEC noted that candidates will now be permitted to deploy their agents up to 100 metres from the booth.
