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Key Points

The Election Commission of India has mobilized an unprecedented 8.5 lakh election officials for the upcoming Bihar assembly polls. This comprehensive deployment includes polling personnel, police, and specialized observers to ensure smooth and fair elections. Unique voter facilities like postal ballots for elderly and disabled citizens have been introduced. The extensive preparation demonstrates the ECI's commitment to transparent and accessible democratic processes.

Key Points: Bihar Polls ECI Deploys 8.5 Lakh Election Officials

  • Massive deployment of 4.53 lakh polling personnel across Bihar
  • 2.5 lakh police officials stationed for election security
  • 38 Police Observers and 67 Expenditure Observers appointed
  • Postal ballot access for elderly and disabled voters
2 min read

Bihar polls: Around 8.5 lakh election officials deployed, says ECI

Election Commission mobilizes massive workforce including polling personnel, police, and observers to ensure smooth Bihar assembly elections

"To ensure the smooth and orderly progress of the various phases of elections in Bihar, around 8.5 lakh election officials have been deployed. - Election Commission of India"

New Delhi, Oct 9

Three days after the Election Commission announced the schedule of Bihar assembly elections and the bye-elections to eight assembly constituencies of six states and for Jammu & Kashmir, preparations are underway to ensure the smooth functioning of these elections.

According to the latest press note issued by ECI on Thursday, "to ensure the smooth and orderly progress of the various phases of elections in Bihar, around 8.5 lakh election officials have been deployed."

"The personnel to be deployed include nearly 4.53 lakh Polling Personnel, 2.5 lakh Police Officials, 28,370 Counting Personnel, 17,875 Micro Observers, 9,625 Sector Officers, 4,840 Micro Observers for counting, and up to 90,712 Anganwadi Sevikas may also be deployed," the ECI said in its press note.

The election machinery, including 90,712 BLOs and 243 EROs, is available for the voters on a phone call and through the Book-a-call to BLO facility on the ECINet App.

"Call centre number +91 (STD Code) 1950 is also available for registering any complaint/query at the DEO/RO level," it said.

The poll panel further said that all the personnel deployed shall be deemed to be on deputation to the Election Commission as per the provisions of Section 28A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

"In the first, one General Observer has been deployed for each of the 243 Constituencies in Bihar to function as the eyes and ears of the Commission," it said.

In addition, 38 Police Observers and 67 Expenditure Observers have also been deployed.

According to the poll panel, the Observer will station itself in their respective Constituencies and meet political parties/candidates regularly to address their concerns.

Similarly, the ECI on Wednesday also announced that elderly voters above 85 years of age, persons with benchmark disabilities (PwDs), and service voters will be able to cast their votes through postal ballots in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

According to a press note issued by the ECI, this facility will be provided under Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see the postal ballot facility for elderly and PwD voters. My 88-year-old grandfather will benefit from this. More inclusive elections are the need of the hour!
A
Arjun K
Impressive numbers but I hope these officials are properly trained. In previous elections, we saw some confusion at polling stations. The Book-a-call facility sounds useful though.
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Sarah B
The deployment of 2.5 lakh police officials is crucial for maintaining law and order. Bihar elections can sometimes get tense. Hope everything goes peacefully this time.
M
Meera T
While the numbers are impressive, I'm concerned about the cost. 8.5 lakh officials means huge expenditure. Could some of this money be better used for development work? Just a thought.
V
Vikram M
The inclusion of Anganwadi Sevikas is a smart move! They know the local communities well and can help in voter awareness. Good thinking by ECI 👏
D
David E
The observer system is excellent - having independent eyes and ears in each constituency ensures transparency. This is how democracy should function everywhere.

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