The term of 243-member state assembly ends on November 22.
Political parties have urged the Election Commission to hold the polls immediately after the Chhath festival, which will be celebrated at the end of October.
The request has been put forth to ensure greater voter participation as a large number of people employed outside return home for the festivities in Bihar.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has said that voting for Bihar's 243 assembly seats will be completed by November 22, when the term of the current assembly ends. Many political parties have urged the poll body to hold the election immediately after the 'Chhath Puja' festival - which will be celebrated at the end of October - to ensure greater voter participation as a large number of people employed in other states return home for festivities.
The Election Commission press conference for the announcement of Bihar election schedule has begun.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the final voter list of Bihar has been published, but any person can appeal for changes ten days before the nomination.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the Election Commission will ensure that the Bihar elections are held in the most transparent manner. He said the elections would be convenient for voters, and the law and order in the state would be closely monitored.
The Election Commission data showed that there are 7.43 crore voters in Bihar, including 3.92 crore male voters and 3.51 female voters. There are 14 lakh first-time voters in the state.
Bihar has a total of 90,712 polling stations which will be equipped with a help desk and webcasting facilities, said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Ramps will be provided for elderly voters and those with disabilities.
The Election Commission has directed for absolutely zero violence during polling, adding that there was no scope for any intimidation for threats to voters and candidates. Adequate CAPF deployment will be done and strict vigil will be maintained against any illegal movement of drugs and liquor.
The Election Commission said that 17 new initiatives have been introduced for the Bihar elections, including training of booth-level agents, police officers, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, enhanced renumeration for officials and more.
The Election Commission also introduced a one-stop digital platform for real-time voter turnout updates. Presiding officers will now upload turnout data on ECINET app every two hours on polling day to reduce the time lag in updating data. Polling stations will also be limited to 1,200 people for reduced crowding, shorter queues and additional booths in high-rise complexes.
The Election Commission has introduced mobile deposit facilities in polling stations. Counters will now be introduced outside polling stations for depositing mobile phones by voters.
The Election Commission also introduced a one-stop digital platform for real-time voter turnout updates. Presiding officers will now upload turnout data on ECINET app every two hours on polling day to reduce the time lag in updating data.
Polling stations will also be limited to 1,200 people for reduced crowding, shorter queues and additional booths in high-rise complexes.
The Election Commission also brought mandatory VVPAT count for mismatches, and also streamlined counting of postal ballots – which entails the counting of the penultimate round of EVM/VVPATs after the counting of postal ballot papers.
The Election Commission said there will be 8.53 lakh polling personnel in Bihar, including 17,800 micro observers for polling and 4,800 micro observers for counting. There will be over 29,00 counting officials and 2.5 lakh police officials deployed in Bihar.
Elections in Bihar will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, and counting will be done on November 14.
By-polls in eight constituencies across Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Telangana, Punjab, Mizoram and Odisha are scheduled on November 11, with the counting of votes on November 14.
In a major step towards improving voter services, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a new feature allowing voters to directly connect with their local Booth Level Officers (BLOs). This facility is now available through the newly introduced ECINet app, as well as via the Voter Helpline number 1950, and the Voter Service Portal.