Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced on Monday that the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections will take place across two phases: the first on November 6 and the second on November 11. Vote counting is scheduled for November 14, with the entire electoral process concluding by November 16.
During a press conference, Kumar described these elections as the “mother of all elections”, underscoring the imperative of transparency and orderly conduct in all constituencies. He affirmed the Election Commission’s readiness to facilitate smooth elections.
The Election Commission has laid out a detailed timeline. In the first phase, voters will cast their ballots for 121 Assembly constituencies, while the second phase will include 122 constituencies. Notably, the Chief Election Commissioner highlighted the protocol for counting votes, specifically stating,
“It is mandatory to complete counting of postal ballots before the last two rounds of counting of votes.”
As the election date approaches, candidates need to adhere to strict schedules for nominations. For the first phase, the last date for filing nominations is set for October 17, with a scrutiny process on October 18, and a final withdrawal date of October 20. The second phase timelines also demand attention; candidates must submit nominations by October 20, and scrutiny will follow on October 21, with withdrawals concluding by October 23.
The current Bihar Legislative Assembly’s term is due to end on November 22, prompting these elections to take place in a timely manner. It is also noteworthy that Bihar comprises a total of 243 Assembly constituencies, which includes two reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and 38 reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC).
As anticipation builds for the Bihar Assembly elections, the focus remains on ensuring a fair, transparent voting process. Political analysts are closely monitoring the situation as major parties prepare their strategies to secure a foothold in this politically pivotal state.
