What Steps is CEC Gyanesh Kumar Taking During His Visit to Bihar?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- CEC Gyanesh Kumar is reviewing electoral preparedness in Bihar.
- Meetings with political party leaders are crucial for gathering feedback.
- Focus on security in Naxal-affected districts is essential.
- Enhancing facilities for women and disabled voters is a priority.
- A press conference could reveal election dates soon.
Patna, Oct 4 (NationPress) As the Bihar Assembly elections approach, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar commenced a crucial two-day visit to the state on Saturday to assess electoral readiness. Accompanying him are Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
The CEC arrived in Patna on Friday night and is engaged in a series of high-level discussions.
On Saturday, his first agenda is to meet with representatives from all recognized national and state political parties at Hotel Taj, Patna.
Leaders from the BJP, JD(U), RJD, Congress, LJP-RV, RLM, CPI(ML), CPM, CPI, VIP and others are anticipated to meet the electoral panel, with a maximum of three representatives from each party.
The Commission will gather insights on various issues, including voter list discrepancies, Model Code of Conduct enforcement, polling station facilities, and EVM security.
Later in the day, Kumar will connect with Divisional Commissioners, district election officials, and senior police officers via video conferencing.
There will be a particular emphasis on Naxal-affected districts such as Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Munger, Rohtas, and Kaimur, where security measures pose significant challenges.
The Election Commission is prioritizing enhanced facilities for women and disabled voters and has directed police officials to present comprehensive security plans.
On Sunday, the CEC and his team will engage with nodal officers from enforcement agencies like the Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate, NCB, Excise, and Customs, aiming to mitigate the use of money, liquor, drugs, and other inducements during the elections.
The team will also confer with the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar, CAPF representatives, the Chief Secretary, and the DGP to evaluate logistics, law and order, polling personnel deployment, and security at counting centers.
A press conference is slated for Sunday evening, where the Commission may unveil election dates or provide a timeline.
Political analysts anticipate elections to be conducted in multiple phases between October and November 2025, akin to the previous Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, following the publication of the final voter list on September 30 after a rigorous two-month revision, Bihar is now poised for the announcement of polling dates.
Political dynamics are intensifying as the ruling NDA promotes its welfare initiatives, while the Opposition intensifies its critique on matters such as unemployment, inflation, law and order, and corruption.
Experts predict that once the election dates are disclosed, Bihar’s political climate will escalate dramatically, setting the stage for a fiercely contested electoral showdown across the state’s 243 Assembly seats.