ECI issues notification for first phase of Bihar Assembly polls; nominations can be filed till October 17
Polling for the first phase will take place on November 6 and for the second phase on November 11
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The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday issued a notification for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, setting in motion the process of filing nominations by contesting candidates for the 121 Assembly constituencies scheduled to vote in the first round.
The Assembly elections in the state are being held in two phases. There are 243 Assembly constituencies in Bihar. Polling for the first phase — for 121 constituencies — will take place on November 6, while polling for the second phase — 122 seats — will take place on November 11. Counting of votes will be done on November 14.
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The notification, issued by the Bihar Governor under Section 15(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has laid down clear guidelines for filing of nominations, their scrutiny, and the time for polling in the respective constituencies.
The candidates can file their nomination papers till October 17 (Friday); the scrutiny will be held the next day; and the candidates who want to withdraw their nominations, for whatever reasons, can do so by October 20.
The poll panel has also issued strict instructions for tight security around nomination centres. Gatherings of people and supporters will be prohibited outside the centres. Those accompanying a candidate during nomination filing will be limited to five persons, including the candidate. The entire nomination process will be recorded on camera.
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The ECI has also deployed about 8,50,000 officials across the state to ensure the smooth conduct of elections. According to the Commission, these officials include 4,53,000 polling personnel, 2,50,000 police personnel, over 28,000 counting personnel, and 18,000 micro-observers.
In the first phase, polling will be held in North and South Bihar, including Patna, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran and Vaishali, among others.
Voting will take place in these constituencies from 7 am to 6 pm.
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