Election Commission Visits Bihar to Review Assembly Poll Preparedness
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with two Election Commissioners, has begun a two-day visit to Bihar to review preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections. The top ECI officials will hold meetings with political parties, district election officers, and senior police officials. The review will focus on voter lists, security arrangements, especially in Naxal-affected areas, and curbing the use of illicit money and liquor. The visit signals that the announcement of polling dates for the 243-member assembly is imminent.
Unpacked:
Several districts in Bihar, including Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Munger, Rohtas, and Kaimur, have a history of Naxalite (Maoist) insurgency, which poses threats to safe voting. The Election Commission prioritizes security in these areas to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections, protecting voters and polling staff from violence or intimidation.
The main contest is between the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) and the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) led by RJD. Additionally, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party will contest for the first time, making the election more competitive.
Since the 2020 election, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar switched alliances twice: from NDA to RJD-led Mahagathbandhan in 2022, and back to NDA in 2024. These shifts have significantly altered party dynamics and could impact electoral strategies and voter sentiment.
Opposition parties have alleged that the intensive voter list revision by the Election Commission was partisan, claiming mass deletions of voters and threatening protests or a boycott. The Commission is seeking feedback on these issues during its meetings with party representatives.