Bihar Assembly Elections: Political Parties Request Post-Chhath Polling Schedule as ECI Reviews Preparations

The Election Commission of India (ECI) conducted a comprehensive review of preparations for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections during the first day of its two-day visit to the state on Saturday. The Commission engaged in detailed discussions with representatives from major national and regional political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal, and several others.

During these meetings, all political parties unanimously requested that the Assembly elections be scheduled immediately following the Chhath festival to ensure maximum convenience for both voters and candidates. They also advocated for conducting the polling in the minimum possible number of phases to alleviate the burden of extended campaigning periods and reduce logistical challenges.

The Commission's agenda for the second day of its visit includes meetings with senior state officials to assess administrative and security arrangements. A press conference addressing election preparations is also anticipated. According to Commission sources, the election schedule might be announced after October 6.

In its interactions with party representatives, the ECI emphasized the critical role of political parties as the "foundation of democracy" and encouraged their active participation in every phase of the electoral process, including the appointment of polling and counting agents. The Commission further urged political parties to foster a festive atmosphere around elections, engaging collaboratively with voters.

Party representatives expressed gratitude to the Commission for successfully completing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and conveyed their confidence in the integrity of the electoral process. They welcomed recent ECI initiatives, such as limiting polling stations to 1,200 voters, ensuring postal ballots are counted before the penultimate round of EVM counting, and instructing presiding officers to distribute Form 17C to party agents before departing polling stations, measures that will facilitate timely and accurate voter turnout reporting.

All political organizations reaffirmed their trust in the Election Commission's capacity to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections in Bihar.

On September 30, the Election Commission released the final electoral roll for Bihar. Following the completion of the SIR process, 7.42 crore citizens have been determined eligible to vote in the forthcoming Assembly elections.