New Delhi: The Election Commission has announced the schedule for Bihar Assembly Elections. The Commission will hold a press conference at 2.30 pm to announce the poll dates. The central poll panel was expected to announce the dates yesterday but postponed it till today.
Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and Election Commisioners AK Jyoti and Om Prakash Rawat had met in the capital yesterday to finalise the poll schedule. However, the announcement was deferred till today, sources said.
There is speculation that the Bihar Assembly polls could be held in five to seven phases beginning mid-October. The phases could be spread over a month’s period and the entire exercise is likely to be completed before Diwali on November 11.
Why the EC may have been finding it difficult to finalise the poll schedule is because several big festivals fall during the months of October and November — Dussehra, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Diwali and Chatt.
Out of total 243 Assembly constituencies, 47 are affected by left-wing extremism. Also, 29 districts out of 38 are affected by left-wing extremism. Central paramilitary forces will man all such constituencies – CEC. Last time, the 2010 Bihar elections were conducted in six phases spread over 30 days.
Number of constituencies to go to polls under different phases:
First phase – 49
Second phase – 32
Third phase – 50
Fourth phase – 55
Fifth phase – 57
Counting of votes on – November 8
First phase of polling on – October 12
Second phase of polling on – October 16
Third phase of polling on – October 28
Fourth phase of polling on – November 1
Fifth phase of polling on – November 5
Bureau Report
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