14 lakh first-time voters and in total 7.43 crore electorate will determine who will rule a key eastern state till 2030
Bihar to vote on November 6, 11, results on 14th
Bihar Assembly polls are to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, and the results will be on November 14, CEC Gyanesh Kumar declared. The term of the 243-member Bihar Assembly will end on November 22.
For the first time, EVM ballots will display candidates' photographs in colour and with larger fonts, replacing the standard black-and-white images. Booth-level officials will carry official ID cards to make them easier to identify.
Nitish Kumar has announced that over 10,000 ‘Vikas Mitras’, who work in villages to make SC and ST people aware of government schemes and convert them to beneficiaries, would be given a one-time allowance of Rs 25,000 each for purchasing tablets so that they can do their work.
Their transportation allowance will also be increased from Rs 1,900 to Rs 2,500 per month, and their stationery allowance will be hiked from Rs 900 to Rs 1,500 per month.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, addressing a press conference, said the state will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11.
November 14 -- Counting of votes.
"The Election Commission wants to tell voters of Bihar that we will ensure elections are conducted transparently while maintaining law and order. The total number of electors is 7.43 crore, including around 14 lakh first-time voters," said the Chief Election Commissioner.
November 6 will cover voting in 121 constituencies in central Bihar
November 11 - second phase of voting in 122 constituencies in border regions.
Notably, in the 2020 polls, the 71 assembly constituencies spread across 16 districts that went to the polls in the first phase are the same set scheduled for voting in the upcoming first phase on November 6.
This indicates a deliberate effort to group districts perceived as strongholds of the RJD, possibly to streamline logistical and security arrangements in politically sensitive areas.
This time, however, the Election Commission has added a few districts from north of the Ganges, specifically from North Bihar, to the first phase.
These additions, alongside regions in Magadh and Shahabad, were made possible due to improved road and bridge infrastructure, which now allows better accessibility.
The elections will witness a multi-cornered contest. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and others, is seeking to retain power.
Smaller NDA allies including Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) are expected to influence results in their strongholds, with seat-sharing agreements being finalised in recent days.
"CAPF will be deployed in advance as a confidence-building measure..All officers are to act in an absolutely impartial way. If there is any fake news or misinformation on any medium or platform, it will be countered. Strict vigil will be maintained at all checkpoints to prevent the transaction of drugs, liquor and cash," CEC said.
Electronic voting machines have been tested and polling staff trained. Transportation, flood management, and administrative readiness in remote constituencies have been prioritised. The poll panel has also set up monitoring teams to oversee compliance with the model code of conduct and smooth execution of the three-phase polls.
Opposition parties are grouped under the Mahagathbandhan bloc, comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties. The Mahagathbandhan is focusing on issues such as youth employment, social welfare, and caste-based polity.
In 202o, the Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by the RJD, won 110 seats, with the RJD bagging 75, Congress 19, and the Left parties 16.
NDA coalition -- comprising JD(U), BJP, HAM(S), and VIP -- clinched 125 of the 243 seats, just enough for a majority.
The BJP led the pack with 74 seats, JD(U) took 43, while HAM(S) and VIP managed four each. But Chief Ministership was given to Nitish Kumar.
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