Bihar Election 2025: ECI to Hold Press Conference on Review of Poll Preparedness

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Election Commission of India is scheduled to hold a press conference at 2 PM on review of poll preparedness for forthcoming Bihar Assembly Elections. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday urged political parties in Bihar to treat the upcoming assembly elections as a celebration of democracy and "participate in a festive spirit". Kumar, who was on a two-day visit to the state along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sindhu and Vivek Joshi, reviewed poll preparations with officials and met representatives of major political parties.Delegations from the BJP, Congress, JD(U), RJD, CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI(M), CPI, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Bahujan Samaj Party, and Aam Aadmi Party attended the meetings.

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According to an Election Commission statement, most parties favored holding the polls "immediately after Chhath", Bihar’s most popular festival later this month, and completing the exercise "in as few phases as possible".Chhath, an important festival in Bihar that is celebrated six days after Diwali, will fall on October 25-28 this year. During Diwali and Chhat, people employed outside Bihar return home for festivities, and it is considered the best time to hold polls to ensure greater voter participation.The statement said party representatives thanked the EC for successfully completing the "historic" Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which had sparked political debate ahead of the polls.Kumar reminded parties that as “significant stakeholders in a strong democracy,” they must take part “at every stage” of the election process and ensure the appointment of polling and counting agents. He also urged parties to join voters in “wholeheartedly” celebrating the elections.Later, the EC team held a comprehensive review with state officials covering election planning, EVM management, logistics, staff training, law and order, and voter awareness.The officials were also directed "to monitor social media for fake news and to respond with appropriate legal action, if required".The term of the 243-member Bihar assembly ends on November 22. The first phase of elections is likely to be held at the end of October, soon after Chhath puja. In 2020, the last assembly polls in the state were held in three phases under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.