Key Points:
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar heads a 16-member team in Patna to review election readiness
- Major parties urge polling after Chhath festival and in fewer phases for smooth participation
- Election Commission met representatives of 12 political parties, solicited suggestions and thanked for voter roll ‘purification’
- SIR voter roll revision remains controversial; opposition claims mass deletions while EC defends the process
- Press conference at 2 pm may announce election dates and preparations details
- Strict social media monitoring and confidence-building measures ordered for fair polls
New Delhi: Election activities are surging in Bihar as a high-powered Election Commission team led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar camps in Patna, intensifying speculation about the announcement of assembly poll dates. The Commission includes Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, adding extra weight to the anticipated press conference at 2 pm today, which is widely expected to reveal the timeline for the much-awaited elections.
Marathon Meetings and Key Party Inputs
During its two-day visit, the Election Commission has held several marathon meetings with officials and enforcement agencies from all 38 districts, as well as direct consultations with representatives from 12 recognized political parties including BJP, Congress, JDU, RJD, and AAP. At Saturday’s meeting, parties emphasized the need for elections to be scheduled right after the Chhath festival (October 28) to ensure high voter turnout and requested elections be held in fewer phases for efficiency potentially in just one phase, as suggested by JDU.
SIR Voter Roll Revision: Controversy and Clarifications
A major topic was the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Bihar voter rolls, described as a “historic” purification effort by the EC. While representatives expressed their gratitude for the clean-up, opposition parties like RJD and the INDIA bloc raised concerns about alleged mass deletions, claiming up to 65 lakh names were removed and warning of voter exclusion; the EC has rejected these charges, affirming the legality and transparency of the revision. The Supreme Court has cautioned it may scrap the process if irregularities are proven.
Election Preparation and Safeguards
Alongside physical logistics, the Commission directed strict monitoring of social media to curb fake news and ensure prompt legal action against misinformation. Security planning includes adequate paramilitary presence and special steps for vulnerable polling areas to guarantee a safe, impartial voter experience. Rationalisation measures will reduce voter counts at individual polling stations from 1,500 to 1,200, aiming for smoother operations.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of Press Conference
With the official term of the current Bihar Assembly ending on November 22, elections are required in early November likely between November 5 and 15, following Chhath Puja. The major contest remains between the NDA alliance led by Nitish Kumar (BJP, JD(U), and LJP) and the INDIA opposition bloc (RJD, Congress, Left).
All eyes are on today’s 2 pm press briefing, which will detail preparations and may finally reveal the official dates for one of 2025’s most crucial state polls. The Commission team is set to return to Delhi this evening, marking the close of its decisive Bihar mission.
