Poll schedule likely to be announced soon
With Assembly elections in Bihar drawing closer, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday began a two-day visit to the state to review poll preparedness. He is accompanied by Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
The CEC arrived in Patna on Friday night and is holding a series of high-level meetings with political leaders, administrative officers, and enforcement agencies.
On Saturday morning, Kumar is meeting representatives of recognised national and state political parties at Hotel Taj in Patna. Leaders from the BJP, JD(U), RJD, Congress, LJP-RV, RLM, CPI(ML), CPM, CPI, VIP, and others are scheduled to interact with the poll panel, with a maximum of three delegates from each party.
The Election Commission (EC) is seeking feedback on issues such as voter list discrepancies, Model Code of Conduct enforcement, polling station facilities, and the security of electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Later in the day, the CEC will hold discussions with divisional commissioners, district election officials, and senior police officers via video conferencing. Special attention will be given to Naxal-affected districts, including Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Munger, Rohtas, and Kaimur, where security arrangements are seen as a challenge.
The EC has also instructed officials to ensure better facilities for women and disabled voters, while police officers have been asked to submit detailed security blueprints.
Enforcement agencies to be briefed
On Sunday, the Commission will meet nodal officers of enforcement agencies, including the Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate, Narcotics Control Bureau, Excise, and Customs, to tighten checks against the use of money, liquor, drugs, and other inducements during elections.
The poll panel will also hold meetings with the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar, CAPF representatives, the Chief Secretary, and the DGP to review logistics, law and order, deployment of polling personnel, and security at counting centres.
Election dates expected soon
The two-day review will conclude with a press conference on Sunday evening, where the Commission may announce the polling schedule or provide a timeline. Political observers expect the elections to be held in multiple phases between October and November 2025, similar to the previous Assembly polls.
With the final voter list published on September 30 after a two-month revision drive, Bihar now awaits the formal announcement of polling dates.
Meanwhile, political activity in the state is intensifying. The ruling NDA is showcasing its welfare schemes, while the Opposition is sharpening its attacks on unemployment, inflation, corruption, and law and order. Analysts predict that once dates are declared, Bihar’s political temperature will rise sharply, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest across the state’s 243 Assembly seats.
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