The Bihar assembly elections will be held in three phases from October 28, chief election commissioner Sunil Arora announced on Friday. Voting in the first phase will be held on October 28, the second phase will be on November 3 and the third phase will be on November 7. The counting of votes will be on November 10.
In the first phase, 71 seats will go to polls, 94 seats will be in phase-2 and 78 seats will go to polls in the third phase. Addressing the press conference, he said these will be perhaps the largest election anywhere in the world during Covid-19, and listed precautionary measures taken by the poll panel and authorities. Among the precautionary steps taken, Arora said that polling time will be increased by one hour and will now be from 7am to 6pm, except in areas affected by Maoist extremism, due to Covid-19.
BIHAR ASSEMBLY POLLS SCHEDULE:
– 1st Phase: 28 October, 71 Seats
– 2nd Phase: 3 November, 94 Seats
– 3rd Phase: 7 November, 78 Seats
– Counting: 10 November
The social media platforms are expected to make adequate arrangements to safeguard against misuse of their platforms & set up strict protocols to handle such issues as and when they arise,” Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said.
To further decongest polling stations and allow more free movement of voters, polling time has been increased by 1 hour. It’ll be held from 7 am-6 pm, instead of 7 am-5 pm earlier. However, this will not be applicable to Left-wing affected areas,” CEC Sunil Arora said while addressing a press conference to announce the schedule for Bihar assembly polls.
“Covid-19 patients who’re quarantined will be able to cast their vote on the last day of poll, at their respective polling stations, under the supervision of health authorities. This is beside the option of postal facility already extended to them,” CEC Sunil Arora said.