Political Parties Key Stakeholders of Democracy: CEC Kumar

• CEC Gyanesh Kumar calls political parties vital to strong democracy
• Parties urge EC to hold elections post-Chhath festival, in fewer phases
• EC instructs officials on impartiality, law and order, and social media vigilance

GG News Bureau
Patna, 4th Oct: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday described political parties as “significant stakeholders of a strong democracy” while reviewing poll preparedness for the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections in Patna.

The CEC, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, interacted with representatives of major political parties including BJP, Congress, JD(U), RJD, CPI(M), CPI(ML), BSP, LJP (Ram Vilas), RLJP, NPP, and AAP. He urged parties to actively engage at every stage of the election process by appointing polling and counting agents, and to celebrate elections in a festive spirit with voters.

Political parties expressed confidence in the Commission’s functioning, praising recent reforms such as limiting polling station voters to 1,200, ensuring timely counting of postal ballots, and mandating Form 17C distribution by presiding officers. They also suggested that elections be scheduled after the Chhath festival and completed in fewer phases to encourage higher turnout.

Following party consultations, the Commission reviewed preparations with DEOs, SPs, and senior officials, covering EVM management, logistics, training, voter outreach, law and order, and seizures.

The EC instructed officials to ensure complete impartiality, promptly address complaints from political parties, and strictly monitor social media for fake news, taking legal action wherever necessary.

All political parties reaffirmed their trust in the Commission’s mandate to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections in Bihar.