CEC, two ECs to visit poll-bound Bihar today

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Vivek Joshi and SS Sandhu are set to visit poll-bound Bihar on October 4-5.The term of the 243-member state Assembly will end on November 22. The EC is likely to hold elections in multiple phases, beginning at the end of this month.

The Election Commission also held a meeting in New Delhi with all central observers who have been deployed for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and bypolls in Budgam and Nagrota in J&K, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa in Mizoram and Nuapada in Odisha.

Observers were directed to familiarise themselves with all election laws and guidelines, provide direct field inputs and ensure strict and impartial compliance with rules.

The CEC further instructed them to remain fully accessible to political parties, candidates and voters for the redressal of their grievances. Besides, the observers were instructed to visit polling stations and ensure the implementation of the recent initiatives taken by the commission for the convenience of the voters.

As many as 425 officers -- including 287 IAS officers, 58 IPS officers and 80 officers from the IRS/IRAS/ICAS and other services -- attended the meeting.

The Election Commission appoints central observers under the plenary powers conferred on it by Article 324 and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to assist the EC in the conduct of free and fair polls. They also oversee the efficient and effective management of the electoral process at the field level.