Bihar assembly election to be held in 2 phases

Bihar assembly election to be held in 2 phases

NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly elections on Monday. The voting will take place in two phases on November 6 and 11 with the counting on November 14.

The entire poll process will be completed by November 16.

The announcement was made at a press conference, addressed by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

Key dates in the election schedule:
* Issue of Gazette Notification: October 10 and 13 (for 1 and 2nd phase)
* Last Date for Nominations: October 17 and 20
* Scrutiny of Nominations: October 18 and 21
* Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidatures: October 20 and 23
* Voting: November 6 and 11
* Results: November 14
* Completion of Election Process: November 16

With announcement of the poll schedule, the model code of conduct has come into effect.

The announcement came a day after ECI reviewed poll preparedness in Bihar. Kumar said, "We met representatives of political parties, police and administration during our visit. The polls in Bihar will be peaceful and transparent".

The polls will determine the composition of the 18th Bihar Legislative Assembly. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by chief minister Nitish Kumar, is facing a tough challenge from the opposition Mahagathbandhan, comprising the RJD, Congress and other allies.

In 2020, the assembly polls were held in three phases. The term of the current state assembly ends on November 22.

The 2025 Bihar elections are being held amid the controversy over the recently concluded Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The Opposition accused ECI of voter list manipulation while Kumar said that the revised list is legally valid and aimed to improve transparency and accuracy in the electoral process.

ECI has introduced a host of initiatives to enhance electoral process including 100 percent webcasting at polling stations, coloured photographs on EVMs, allowing voters to carry mobile phones up to the outer area of polling stations and others.

ECI's instructions to SPs, DMs, enforcement agencies:

1) Absolutely Zero Tolerance to any violence

2) No scope for any kind of intimidation/threat to voters and candidates

3) Adequate CAPF deployment in the state in advance for confidence building measures

4) All officers to act in absolutely impartial way & easily accessible to all stakeholders

5) Ensure all grievances/complaints of parties are responded to appropriately

6) Respond to fake news in a timely manner. Social Media teams at district level to counter misinformation

7) Strict vigil across different check points against any illegal movement of drugs, liquor

In 2020, Bihar elections were held in three phases, with polling conducted from 20 October to 7 November and results declared on 10 November. Prior to that, in 2015, the state had five-phase elections, with voting taking place from 12 October to 5 November and results announced on 8 November.

The Commission is working to ensure that all preparations, including voter lists, security arrangements, and polling logistics, are completed in a timely and transparent manner to facilitate smooth elections across the state.

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