Election Commission to deploy 470 observers for Bihar polls, bypolls  

The Election Commission of India has decided to deploy 470 officers (including 320 IAS, 60 from IPS and 90 from IRS, IRAS, ICAS and other services) serving in various states, as Central Observers (General, Police and Expenditure) for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and also for bypolls in eight Assembly seats of six states and one Union Territory.

While Assembly elections in Bihar are scheduled to be held in the first week of November, likely in three phases, bypolls are to be held in eight Assembly seats, including two in J&K and one in Punjab.

These seats include Budgam and Nagrota in J&K, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Anta in Rajasthan, Ghatsila in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Dampa in Mizoram and Nuapada in Odisha.

The Election Commission is to visit Bihar on October 4 and 5 to supervise the preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections.

The Assembly elections schedule for Bihar is likely to be announced by the EC between October 6 and 10.