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Key Points

The Election Commission of India held crucial talks with Bihar's political parties about the upcoming Assembly elections. CEC Gyanesh Kumar emphasized election transparency and urged parties to appoint polling agents at every booth. Political leaders suggested holding elections right after the Chhath festival to maximize voter participation. The discussions also covered electoral rolls, logistics, and maintaining the 1,200 voter limit per polling station.

Key Points: CEC Gyanesh Kumar Leads Bihar Parties Talks on Transparent Polls

  • CEC Gyanesh Kumar leads ECI talks with Bihar political parties on election transparency
  • Parties suggest holding polls immediately after Chhath festival to boost turnout
  • ECI officials discuss logistics, voter accessibility and Model Code of Conduct
  • Political parties seek minimal election phases and support voter cap at 1,200 per booth
2 min read

CEC Gyanesh Kumar leads talks with Bihar parties on transparent polls

Election Commission discusses Bihar Assembly elections with political parties, focusing on transparency, voter turnout, and post-Chhath festival timing suggestions.

"Appealed to voters to experience the transparency in elections - CEC Gyanesh Kumar"

Patna, Oct 4

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday called upon Bihar political parties to augment ECI efforts to boost transparency, even as state leaders suggested that the next Assembly elections should he held immediately after the Chhath festival to increase turnout.

The discussions took place at a meeting organised by the Election Commission of India (ECI) with all recognised political parties in the state to discuss issues related to the upcoming Assembly elections and electoral rolls, an official said in a statement.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioner Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Election Commissioner Dr Vivek Joshi, appealed to voters to experience the transparency in elections and reminded political parties to nominate their polling agents at every booth.

The ECI officials also discussed logistics, voter accessibility, the Model Code of Conduct, and other electoral procedures with the participants.

During the dialogue, representatives of recognised parties sought a minimal number of phases for the upcoming elections to pick a new 243-member Assembly.

The representatives of political parties also suggested that elections should be held immediately after the Chhath festival to increase voter participation, said a statement.

While appreciating the ECI’s measures to increase transparency and purify electoral rolls through Special Intensive Revision (SIR), representatives of political parties also welcomed its decision to set a maximum number of voters per polling station at 1,200, said the statement.

An ECI official said that representatives of political parties backed several recent initiatives taken by the ECI, such as the counting of postal votes.

As of now, the ECI has yet to announce the official dates for the Bihar elections. However, with the final electoral roll published on September 30 listing 7.42 crore registered voters after a drop of over 47 lakh since June, the stage appears set for formal poll notification in the coming weeks.

A maximum of three representatives from each party were invited to attend the discussion. The participants included leaders from the BJP, JD(U), RJD, Congress, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party, RLSP, BSP, AAP, CPI(M), CPI(ML) Liberation, and the National People's Party.

On Sunday, the Commission will meet District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police, and election officers to review ground-level preparations and law enforcement measures. Discussions will also focus on curbing electoral malpractices and ensuring transparency, said the statement.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The limit of 1200 voters per booth is a welcome step. During last elections, my polling station had nearly 2000 voters and we had to wait for hours. This should make the voting process much smoother.
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Sarah B
While I appreciate the transparency efforts, I hope the ECI ensures that all political parties actually follow through with appointing polling agents. In previous elections, many booths didn't have proper representation from all parties.
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Arjun K
The drop of 47 lakh voters is concerning. ECI should conduct special drives to enroll young voters and ensure no genuine voter is left out. Democracy works best when maximum people participate.
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Michael C
Having elections in minimal phases is crucial for Bihar. Multiple phases create unnecessary security burdens and disrupt normal life. Hope ECI considers this suggestion seriously.
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Kavya N
Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is much needed. Many deceased persons and duplicate entries still exist in voter lists. Clean electoral rolls are the foundation of fair elections. 👍

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