CEC to Review Bihar Poll Preparedness Ahead of Election Dates
Two-day visit includes meetings with political parties, security officials, and enforcement agencies; announcement likely Sunday
- CEC Gyanesh Kumar begins two-day Bihar visit to assess election preparedness.
- Meetings with national and state parties on voter lists, MCC enforcement, and EVM security.
- Special focus on Naxal-affected districts for security arrangements.
- EC to review use of money, liquor, and drugs in polls with enforcement agencies.
- Press conference scheduled Sunday, may announce election dates.
- Political activity intensifies as Bihar gears up for polls across 243 Assembly seats.
GG News Bureau
Patna, 4th Oct: With the Bihar Assembly elections drawing closer, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar began his two-day visit to the state on Saturday to review poll preparedness. He is accompanied by Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
The CEC reached Patna on Friday night and is holding a series of high-level meetings.
Meeting with Political Parties
On Saturday, the Commission will meet representatives of all recognised national and state political parties at Hotel Taj, Patna. Leaders from BJP, JD(U), RJD, Congress, LJP-RV, RLM, CPI(ML), CPM, CPI, VIP and others are expected to attend, with up to three representatives each.
The Election Commission will seek feedback on voter list discrepancies, Model Code of Conduct enforcement, polling station facilities, and EVM security.
Security in Naxal-Affected Districts
Later in the day, Kumar will interact with Divisional Commissioners, district election officials, and senior police officers via video conferencing. The Commission will place special emphasis on Naxal-affected districts like Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Munger, Rohtas, and Kaimur. Police officers have been instructed to submit detailed security plans.
The EC is also prioritising better facilities for women and disabled voters at polling stations.
Review with Enforcement Agencies
On Sunday, the CEC and his team will meet nodal officers of enforcement agencies, including the Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate, Narcotics Control Bureau, Excise, and Customs. The focus will be on curbing the use of money, liquor, drugs, and other inducements in elections.
The team will also meet the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar, CAPF representatives, the Chief Secretary, and the DGP to review logistics, law and order, polling personnel deployment, and counting centre security.
A press conference is scheduled for Sunday evening, where the Commission is likely to announce the election dates or provide a timeline.
Political Build-Up
Political observers expect the Assembly polls to be held in multiple phases between October and November 2025, similar to the last elections.
With the final voter list published on September 30 after a two-month revision exercise, Bihar now awaits the official polling schedule.
Meanwhile, political activity is heating up: the ruling NDA is showcasing its welfare schemes, while the Opposition is sharpening its attack on unemployment, inflation, corruption, and law and order. Analysts predict that once the dates are announced, Bihar’s political temperature will rise sharply, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle across the state’s 243 Assembly seats.
