The long wait is over, the election commission has announced the dates for Bihar election. The Five-Phased Battle for Bihar assembly will the Verdict on November 8. The polling will start with the first phase being held on October 12, the second on October 16, the third on October 28, the fourth on November 1 and the fifth and last on November 5, said Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, today at a press conference.

The Election Commission has held a meeting with the top officials of the Union home ministry in the last week to discuss about the deployment of security forces for the polls that could be held in October. Apart from central forces, state police personnel will also be deployed during the elections.

The highlights of the announcement are as below:

1.    The Commission has made more than adequate arrangements of central paramilitary forces.
2.    The Commission has ensured assessment of all vulnerable points where anti-social elements have been recognised.
3.    Out of the 243 Assembly constituencies, 47 are affected by left-wing extremism, 29 districts out of 38 are covered under left-wing extremism.
4.    The Commission has mounted special vigilance, security strategies to ensure safety of voters.
5.    The Commission will ensure that the common man is not harassed by field level machinery.
6.    The Election Voting Machines will be carrying photos of the candidates.
7.    In a first, voters will get paper receipts in 36 constituencies.
8.    Model Code of Conduct will be enforced with immediate effect.
9.    The elections will be conducted in five stages.
10.    Dates for five-phase polls are, October 12, October 16, October 28, November 1 and November 5.
11.    The counting of votes will be held on November 8th.

The polls for the 243 member Bihar assembly, whose term ends on November 29 is expected to be high pitch battle with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief minister Nitish Kumar.

By Premji