Election Commission to Announce Bihar Assembly Poll Schedule
The Election Commission of India is set to announce the schedule for the Bihar legislative assembly elections today. The term of the 243-member state assembly ends on November 22. The upcoming polls will feature a major contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP and JD(U), and the opposition 'Mahagathbandhan,' which includes the RJD, Congress, and Left parties. Political parties have requested that the polls be held after the Chhath festival in late October.
Unpacked:
Chhath is a major religious festival in Bihar, and parties request elections after it to avoid interfering with celebrations and to ensure high voter turnout, as many people travel during this period and may otherwise be unable to vote.
Key issues include unemployment, migration of youth for jobs, caste-based inequalities, corruption, and governance. Parties are focusing on job creation, social justice, and industrial development to address these persistent challenges.
The NDA is led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (JD(U)) and the BJP. The opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' includes RJD, led by Tejashwi Yadav, Congress, and Left parties. AIMIM and other smaller parties are also contesting independently.
Yes. The Election Commission conducted a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. Opposition parties alleged partisan deletions and threatened protests or boycotts, while the ruling alliance defended the process as necessary and fair.