Election Commission likely to announce Bihar assembly poll dates today

Representational Image. File Pic

The Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the Bihar legislative assembly polls on Monday, as reported by news agency PTI.

With the much-anticipated Bihar elections to be conducted later this year, the poll authority has convened a press conference at 4 pm. The press conference scheduled today is likely to announce the dates and a detailed schedule of the Bihar assembly polls.

Considering that the term of the 243-member state assembly ends on November 22, the elections are likely to be conducted around late November or early December.

News agency PTI also reported that political parties have urged the EC to hold the polls immediately after the Chhath festival, which will be celebrated at the end of October, to ensure greater voter participation as a large number of people employed outside return home for the festivities.

Earlier on October 3, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, described election observers as the "beacons of democracy", highlighting their crucial role in ensuring free and fair elections across the country.

Highlighting the Bihar State Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) organised a detailed briefing for general, police, and expenditure observers, who are being deployed as Central Observers for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections 2025, as well as bye-elections in certain states.

The Chief Election Commissioner, while addressing the meeting, asserted that "The observers are the beacons of democracy. As the Commission's eyes and ears, you must familiarise yourselves with all election laws, rules, and guidelines, provide direct field inputs, and ensure strict and impartial compliance," as per PTI.

Furthermore, on September 30, the ECI also published the final electoral roll for the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The total number of electors in the final list stands at 7.42 crore, down from the 7.89 crore registered on June 24.

However, according to the commission, 65 lakh voters were deleted from the draft list, including 3.66 lakh ineligible electors, while 21.53 lakh eligible names were added via Form 6, taking the total to 7.42 crore voters.

The 2020 assembly polls in the state were held in three phases under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.

(With inputs from PTI)