New Delhi: The politically crucial eastern state of Bihar will elect its new legislative assembly between October and November this year.
The Election Commission on Wednesday announced 53-day-long five-phased polling to elect the 243-member assembly which starts with filing of nominations for the first phase of polling on September 16 and culminate with counting of votes slated to take place on November 8.
Chief Election Commission Nasim Zaidi on Wednesday announced the detailed scheduled of the much-awaited state election, which is being seen as the first major test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ever since it came to power in May last year with a thumping majority.
While 49 constituencies will go to polls in the first phase on October 12, 32 constituencies will vote on October 16. 50, 55 and 57 constituencies will go to polls in the third, fourth and fifth phase on October 28, November 1 and November 11 respectively.
Counting of votes for all 243 seats will take place on November 8.
A total of 66.8 million eligible voters will use their right to franchise at 62,779 polling booths, Zaidi announced, three weeks before five year term of the outgoing assembly expires. There are in all 40 a seats reserved — 38 for Scheduled Caste and two for Scheduled Tribe.
According to Zaidi, adequate arrangements of central security forces have been made to ensure free and fair elections. “Several months of preparations have gone into it. The Election Commission is satisfied with preparations made for free and fair elections. Commission will take all precautions to ensure communal harmony is maintained in view of festivals,” Zaidi said. The elections will basically take place between two important Hindu festivals Dusshera and Diwali.
The Election Commission is taking special precaution in 29 out of 38 districts of Bihar as in all 47 assembly seats fall into the Maoist-infected areas where Left insurgents try to influence voting.
“We cannot disclose their numbers but we have received adequate central police forces ... Every election is full of challenges — some more, some less. But we are prepared to ensure free and fair polling takes place in Bihar,” Zaidi said.
Patrolling will take place from air, by road, by horse-mounted police and even boats in areas inaccessible by road.
According to the Chief Election Commissioner, individual assessment was done of all constituencies, especially of those where trouble is anticipated by the anti-social elements. Individual trouble makers have been identified and a close watch will be kept on them, especially on those who distribute money and alcohol as bribe to voters. In all 243 election observers, 38 police observers and 80 expenditure observers have been appointed to keep a close eye on the entire election process.
The Election Commission had introduced two new features in Bihar polls. Photographs of candidates in fray will be displayed along with their names on the electronic voting machines while each voter will receive a printed leaflet displaying their name and number in the ballot paper five days before voting. “This will work as invitation as well as reminder to voters,” Zaidi said, adding that the Election Commission wants overall voting percentage to go up drastically in the state.
Photographs of candidates along with their names have been introduced as voters in the past used to get confused with many candidates with identical names contest elections.
The model code of conduct that prevents the central and state government from announcing any new schemes and soaps to influence voters, besides keeping check on election expenses and overall conduct of individuals and parties came into force with announcement of the election schedule.
Interestingly, the federal government managed to beat the model code of conduct as it announced a Rs. 18.5 billion special electricity package for Bihar and six per cent dearness allowance for all central government staff just hours before the poll panel announced Bihar election schedule.
ENDS
Bihar elections at a glance
Total 243 seats (including 38 reserved for Scheduled Caste and 2 for Scheduled Tribe)
Total number of voters: 66.8 million
Total number of polling booths: 62,779
Counting of votes: November 8, 2015
Phase Date of notification Last date for filing of nomination Last date for withdrawal Seats Polling
1 19.09.2015 23.09.2015 26.09.2015 49 12.10.2015
2 21.09.2015 28.09.2015 01.10.2015 32 16.10.2015
3 01.10.2015 08.10.2015 12.10.2015 50 28.10.2015
4 07.10.2015 14.10.2015 17.10.2015 55 01.11.2015
5 08.10.2015 15.10.2015 19.10.2015 57 05.11.2015
