Election Commissioners to Visit Patna to Review Bihar Poll Preparedness

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Vivek Joshi and S S Sandhu, will visit Patna on October 4 and 5 to evaluate Bihar’s readiness for the upcoming state assembly elections. With the term of the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly set to end on November 22, the Election Commission of India (ECI) anticipates conducting the polls in multiple phases starting late October and extending into November. This visit, a standard procedure before announcing election schedules, underscores the ECI’s commitment to ensuring a fair and efficient electoral process in the state.

During their two-day visit, the commissioners will meet with representatives of political parties, senior police, administrative officials, and state election authorities to review preparations. The ECI has deployed 425 general, police, and expenditure observers to oversee the Bihar elections and seven concurrent assembly bypolls. These observers, described by CEC Kumar as the “beacon of democracy”, are tasked with ensuring compliance with election laws, providing field insights, and maintaining impartiality. They will visit polling stations to verify accessibility and monitor the implementation of voter-friendly initiatives introduced by the ECI, while remaining available to address grievances from political parties, candidates, and voters.

The ECI recently concluded a special intensive revision of Bihar’s electoral roll, the first in over two decades, resulting in a final list of approximately 7.42 crore electors published on September 30. This revision has sparked controversy, with opposition parties alleging it may disenfranchise millions of legitimate voters. The ECI has firmly stated that no eligible citizen will be excluded from the voters’ list, while also ensuring no ineligible names remain. The commission’s rigorous approach aims to uphold the integrity of the electoral process in Bihar, a state known for its complex political landscape and high voter turnout.

Also Read: Final Bihar Voter List Released Today Amid Supreme Court Review

This visit comes as part of the ECI’s broader efforts to strengthen democratic processes in Bihar, where multi-phase elections are planned to accommodate logistical challenges and ensure voter safety. The commissioners’ review will focus on administrative coordination, security arrangements, and the deployment of resources to facilitate a smooth election. As Bihar prepares for this critical democratic exercise, the ECI’s oversight aims to foster transparency and fairness, reinforcing public confidence in the electoral system.

Also Read: Nitish Kumar Meets Amit Shah Ahead of Bihar Assembly Elections