Election Commission Examines Bihar Election Preparedness; Political Parties Offer Input

In Patna, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, assessed the readiness for the forthcoming Bihar Assembly Elections. This assessment involved a two-day visit to the state by the Election Commission team. The Commission engaged with representatives from various political parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal. The purpose of these interactions was to collect insights and recommendations. CEC Kumar emphasized the crucial role of political parties in a thriving democracy and called for their comprehensive participation in the electoral process. The Commission also aimed to foster a celebratory atmosphere during the elections. Parties acknowledged the successful Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and reaffirmed their confidence in the electoral procedures. Political parties suggested conducting the elections soon after the Chhath festival and minimizing the number of phases. The Commission cited specific actions, such as limiting the maximum number of voters per polling station. Following discussions with the political parties, the Commission conducted a detailed review with various officers, including DEOs and SPs, on all facets of election planning. The Commission instructed all officials to maintain impartiality and to promptly address any complaints or grievances from political parties, including monitoring social media for misinformation and taking necessary legal action. The dates for the Bihar Assembly elections have not been announced. The upcoming elections are anticipated to primarily be a contest between the ruling NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. The NDA currently has 131 seats in the Bihar Assembly, while the Mahagathbandhan holds 111 seats.