New Delhi: In anticipation of the Bihar Assembly elections expected by late October, the Election Commission (EC) convened a meeting with all recognized political parties on Saturday to discuss important aspects of the upcoming elections, including dates and phases. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar led the meeting, which included Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar Vinod Singh Gunjyal, and senior officials. The EC highlighted the importance of political parties in ensuring a transparent democratic process and urged them to appoint polling agents at every booth to facilitate smooth and fair polling. It also encouraged voters to approach the elections with unity and respect, reiterating the transparency measures implemented by the commission.
Representatives from multiple parties suggested that elections be conducted immediately after the Chhath festival to enhance voter turnout and recommended minimizing the number of phases for efficiency. Political parties responded positively to the decision to limit the number of voters per polling station to 1,200 and commended reforms related to postal ballot counting and the use of Form 17C. Additionally, they appreciated the ‘historic, transparent, and firm’ measures for cleansing the electoral rolls through the special intensive revision (SIR), a topic of contention between the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc. Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha urged the EC to conduct a single-phase election, citing the improved law and order situation in Bihar.
He stated, ‘We presented our case to the election commission. The special intensive revision (SIR) has occurred in Bihar, and we will demonstrate the proper execution of SIR to the country. We have requested that elections be held in one phase in Bihar.’ Jha also remarked, ‘If elections can occur in one phase in Maharashtra, why not in Bihar?’ RJD MP Abhay Kushwaha articulated the party’s position, calling for elections in two phases. ‘We have clearly communicated our demands to the election commission and have provided suggestions from RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in writing,’ he said.
He further stated, ‘We have requested elections in two phases and asked for a clear list of the 366,000 names removed from the voter list, appealing to those affected to file complaints.’ BJP Bihar president Dilip Jaiswal criticized the opposition, emphasizing that all polling agents should collect Form 17C after voting to prevent post-poll disputes. ‘The Election Commission has asked political parties to ensure their polling agents collect Form 17C once voting concludes in the evening. Some political party agents leave early, leading to blame games,’ he noted.
Jaiswal also mentioned that his party recommends elections be held immediately after the required 28-day announcement period, ‘without delay.’ The Election Commission is expected to reveal the dates for the Bihar Assembly elections soon.