Bihar polls to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, counting on 14
The Assembly Elections of Bihar will be conducted in two phases on 6th and 11th November this year. The counting of votes will take place on 14th of November.
The Election Commission today announced the poll schedule for the 243 members Bihar Assembly elections. With the announcement of poll schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force in Bihar. Polling will be held in 121 assembly seats in the first phase while, 122 assembly constituencies will go to polls in the second phase.
Briefing media in New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that over 90 thousand 712 polling booths will be set up for seven crore 43 lakh voters in the state. He informed that the notification for the first phase of voting will be issued on 10th of this month and candidates can make their nominations till 17th of October. For the second phase of polling, the notification will be issued on 13th of this month and the nomination can be filed till 20th of October.
The Chief Election Commissioner said, for the first time one General observer will be deployed in each constituency to work as eye and ear of the Commission.
Kumar added that webcasting will be done at all polling stations to thoroughly monitor the electoral process. He said that District Magistrates and Superintendent of police have been directed for zero tolerance to any violence. He also informed that adequate Central Armed Police Forces will be deployed in the state and strict vigil will be done across different check points against any illegal movement of drugs, cash and liquor.
He said, people can still get add their names to voter lists till ten days before the filing of nomination papers by candidates.
Kumar said, it is mandatory to complete counting of postal ballots before last two rounds of counting of votes. The CEC said, CAPF will be deployed in advance as a confidence-building measure. He said, all officers are to act in an absolutely impartial way. He added that if there is any fake news or misinformation on any medium or platform, it will be countered.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar also announced By-election for eight assembly seats in seven states. These assembly constituency are Budgam and Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa in Mizoram and Nuapada in Odisha. The By-election will be held on 11th November and counting of votes will take place on 14th November.