What Preparations Are Underway for the Bihar Assembly Elections?
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Synopsis
As the Bihar Assembly elections approach, the Election Commission gears up to deploy 5.5 lakh polling personnel across the state. With significant changes to polling booths and a controversial voter list revision, tensions rise among political parties. Will the electoral integrity be upheld?
Key Takeaways
- 5.5 lakh polling personnel to be deployed.
- Increase in booths from 78,000 to over 90,000.
- Three-phase training for election staff.
- 65 lakh names removed from voter lists.
- Political opposition raises concerns over transparency.
Patna, Sep 3 (NationPress) The preparations for the forthcoming Bihar Assembly polls are in full throttle, as the Election Commission of India plans to deploy approximately 5.5 lakh polling personnel throughout the state.
These personnel will comprise presiding officers, polling officers, micro observers, and sector magistrates tasked with overseeing the voting process at over 90,712 polling stations.
The number of polling booths has significantly increased from the previous election, rising from around 78,000 to more than 90,000 due to the limit of 1,200 voters per booth.
This surge necessitates a greater number of election staff.
Currently, district magistrates are in the process of finalizing personnel lists, which will be digitized for randomized deployment.
Training will be conducted in three stages, focusing on EVM and VVPAT management, electoral protocols, and necessary documentation.
Master trainers are being prepared at the state headquarters to facilitate these training sessions.
Every polling station will be staffed with one presiding officer and three polling officers, along with additional personnel designated as micro observers and sector magistrates.
A reserve pool of staff will also be maintained for emergencies.
The state workforce will be augmented by central government employees, whose details have been requested from district offices.
Simultaneously, the Election Commission is closely collaborating with security agencies.
The Bihar Police Headquarters has already evaluated the need for central paramilitary forces and submitted its recommendations to the Home Ministry, while adequate deployment of state police is also in the works.
As the Bihar Assembly elections draw near, all eyes are on the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is conducting a large-scale Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.
During this process, approximately 65 lakh names have been removed from the voter lists state-wide.
This extensive deletion has sparked political controversy. Opposition parties, including the Congress, RJD, and CPI-ML, have raised concerns about the Election Commission's operations and alleged irregularities.
The Congress party claims to have submitted 89 lakh objections regarding the removal of names from the electoral rolls, urging the Commission to ensure that no legitimate voter is disenfranchised.
RJD and CPI-ML have also lodged objections with the poll panel, demanding increased transparency in the verification and deletion processes.
While the ECI describes the voter list revision as a standard procedure aimed at eliminating duplicates, deceased individuals, and those who have migrated, the opposition contends that numerous genuine voters may have been unfairly removed.
With the elections looming, this voter list controversy is likely to become a significant point of contention between the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc in Bihar.
Point of View
The upcoming elections in Bihar underscore the importance of a transparent electoral process. The deployment of extensive personnel and the scrutiny surrounding voter list revisions highlight a critical juncture for democracy in the state. Ensuring a fair and accessible election is paramount, and vigilance from both the commission and the electorate is essential.
NationPress
03/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How many polling personnel are being deployed for the Bihar elections?
The Election Commission of India is deploying approximately 5.5 lakh polling personnel across the state.
What is the reason for the increase in polling booths?
Polling booths have increased from around 78,000 to over 90,000 due to the limit of 1,200 voters per booth.
What training will polling personnel receive?
Training will focus on handling EVMs and VVPATs, electoral procedures, and documentation through a three-phase program.
What controversies surround the voter list revisions?
There have been significant objections raised by opposition parties regarding the deletion of around 65 lakh names from the voter lists.
How is the Election Commission addressing security during the elections?
The Election Commission is working closely with security agencies to ensure adequate deployment of both central paramilitary and state police forces.
