How is CEC Gyanesh Kumar Engaging Bihar Parties for Transparent Elections?
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Synopsis
In a crucial meeting in Patna, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar urged Bihar's political parties to enhance transparency in the upcoming Assembly elections. Leaders suggested scheduling elections post-Chhath festival to boost voter turnout, while discussions highlighted logistical preparations and the need for accountability in electoral processes.
Key Takeaways
- Chief Election Commissioner emphasizes transparency in elections.
- Political leaders propose scheduling elections after Chhath festival.
- Discussion on limiting polling station voters to 1,200.
- Focus on enhancing logistics and voter accessibility.
- Engagement with political parties is essential for a fair process.
Patna, Oct 4 (NationPress) Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar urged Bihar's political factions on Saturday to enhance the efforts of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to foster transparency. This comes as state leaders proposed that the forthcoming Assembly elections should be scheduled right after the Chhath festival to maximize voter turnout.
The discussions were held during a meeting convened by the ECI with all recognized political parties in the region to deliberate on matters concerning the upcoming Assembly elections and the electoral rolls, as stated by an official.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar, accompanied by Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, urged voters to experience the transparency in elections and reminded political parties to appoint their polling agents at every booth.
The ECI representatives also addressed logistical issues, voter accessibility, the Model Code of Conduct, and various electoral procedures with the attendees.
During the discussions, party representatives expressed a desire for fewer phases in the upcoming elections to form a new 243-member Assembly.
Additionally, they suggested that elections should be conducted right after the Chhath festival to boost voter participation, according to the statement.
While commending the ECI's initiatives to enhance transparency and clean electoral rolls through Special Intensive Revision (SIR), political party representatives also supported the decision to limit the number of voters per polling station to 1,200.
As of now, the ECI has yet to publish the official dates for the Bihar elections. However, following the final electoral roll published on September 30, which includes 7.42 crore registered voters after a decrease of over 47 lakh since June, the ground seems ready for an official poll announcement in the coming weeks.
A maximum of three representatives from each party were invited to participate in the discussions. 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 convene with District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police, and election officers to assess on-ground preparations and law enforcement strategies. Discussions will also center on combating electoral malpractices and ensuring transparency, as stated in the announcement.
Point of View
We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring participatory democracy. The recent discussions led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar highlight the necessity for transparency in elections. Engaging political parties in this dialogue is crucial for fostering trust among voters and ensuring that the electoral process is conducted fairly and responsibly.
NationPress
04/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main focus of the meeting led by CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
The primary focus was to enhance transparency in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and discuss logistical preparations.
Why do political leaders want elections after the Chhath festival?
Political leaders believe that holding elections immediately after the Chhath festival will increase voter turnout.
How many registered voters are there in Bihar as per the latest electoral roll?
The latest electoral roll published lists 7.42 crore registered voters.
