Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Oct 5: Patna saw a significant update on Bihar’s upcoming Assembly elections as Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar held a press briefing following two days of meetings with top state officials. Beginning his address in the local Bhojpuri and Maithili languages, Kumar urged citizens to embrace voting with the same fervor as they celebrate Chhath, calling the election “a great festival of democracy.”

Kumar highlighted the success of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, praising Bihar’s booth-level officers (BLOs) for their hands-on role in directly engaging with voters to ensure clean and accurate electoral rolls—a first in India. He compared this milestone to Vaishali’s historic role in shaping India’s republic, suggesting that Bihar’s efforts will inspire other states.

Among the key reforms, Kumar announced that voters will now receive their voter ID cards within 15 days of application, ending years of delays. He assured that any discrepancy between Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) counts will prompt a full VVPAT count in that constituency to ensure accuracy.

Additional safeguards include completing postal ballot counting before the last rounds of EVM counting and capping the maximum number of voters per polling booth at 1,200. With approximately 90,000 polling booths statewide, all will feature real-time webcasting to enhance transparency. Candidates will also be required to station polling agents who verify mock poll votes and cross-check Form 17C totals ahead of voting.

The Election Commission further committed to recognizing BLOs’ vital contributions by providing them with enhanced allowances and identity cards.

Security preparations were strengthened through police training conducted in Delhi, reflecting heightened readiness for a smooth electoral process.

While addressing concerns about infiltrators and foreign nationals raised by national leaders, Kumar refrained from specifying their numbers following the final voter list publication.

With these comprehensive steps, the Election Commission signals a strong commitment to conducting a free, fair, and transparent Bihar Assembly election amid what promises to be a fiercely contested political battle later this year.