Mumbai: With the final electoral roll for Bihar set to be published on September 30, the Election Commission (EC) is preparing to move swiftly toward announcing the state’s assembly poll schedule. The process will begin with a meeting with poll observers on October 3, followed by a two-day visit by the full Commission to Bihar on October 4–5.
The engagements are seen as the penultimate formalities before poll dates are officially declared. A meeting with the Union Home Secretary to finalize deployment of Central forces for security is also on the cards. Sources indicate that the EC could hold a press conference to announce the Bihar election schedule as early as October 6 or 7. In past instances, the meeting with the Home Secretary has coincided with the poll date announcement.
The upcoming Bihar polls are expected to be spread over fewer phases compared to 2020, when elections were conducted in three rounds under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic. The tenure of the current Bihar Assembly expires on November 22, 2025, and the EC is expected to complete the election process well in advance to facilitate government formation.
Adding an element of legal suspense, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hold its final hearing on October 7 on petitions challenging the methodology of the special intensive revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral roll. While the Court has clarified that it cannot give piecemeal opinions on the matter, it has also indicated that any finding of illegality in the process could lead to the exercise being set aside. However, EC officials maintain that conducting timely polls is a constitutional obligation and can proceed on the basis of pre-SIR rolls if required.
During its Bihar visit, the EC will meet the state’s Chief Electoral Officer, district magistrates, superintendents of police, representatives of political parties, and enforcement agencies including the Income Tax Department, Excise Department, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and Narcotics Control Bureau.
At its meeting with general, expenditure, and police observers, the Commission will brief them on their duties — particularly monitoring the misuse of money power, curbing hate speech, and ensuring adherence to the model code of conduct.
Preliminary discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs on the availability of Central forces have already been held. The final assessment will be made after the Commission’s Bihar visit, following which a detailed plan will be presented to the Home Secretary.
Follow us on Twitter, Google News, and Instagram and like us on Facebook for the latest updates and exciting stories.
