Patna: The Election Commission team is in Patna on a two-day visit to review preparations for the Bihar Assembly elections. Today, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhvir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi held a meeting with representatives of recognized political parties. Six national and six authorized regional parties participated in the meeting. During the meeting, which lasted more than two hours, representatives of political parties made several suggestions, including a demand for elections after Chhath.
Elections after Chhath: During the meeting with the Election Commission, political parties proposed holding elections in one or two phases, as well as holding them after Chhath. Representatives of political parties said that to increase voter participation in the Bihar Assembly elections, elections should be held immediately after Chhath. They also suggested holding elections in as few phases as possible.
RJD demands before the EC: After the meeting with the Election Commission, RJD MP Abhay Kushwaha said that his party has made several demands to the Election Commission. He said that we want the elections to be held only after Diwali and Chhath, as festivals are coming up. If elections are held before then, people may face inconvenience. “We demanded that the Bihar Assembly elections be held in two phases, as Diwali and Chhath are approaching. To avoid inconvenience to the people, the Assembly elections should be held in two phases.” – Abhay Kushwaha, MP, Rashtriya Janata Dal
Objections also raised regarding SIR: Abhay Kushwaha said that the names of 366,000 voters have been removed from the voter list, and we have lodged an objection with the Election Commission. We have demanded that a list of voters whose names have been removed from the voter list be made available. Furthermore, a list of those whose names have been removed should also be made available.
What did he say about the demand for a ban on burqas?: Responding to BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal’s question regarding the identification of women voting in burqas, Abhay Kushwaha said that new voter cards have been issued for all voters under SIR, so it is not right to raise such a demand now. This demand by the BJP during the election time is political.
Demand for a ban on burqas: Dilip Jaiswal suggested to the Election Commission that female voters, especially those who come to vote wearing burqas, should be verified through their voter cards. The BJP state president said that the Election Commission advised political parties to ensure that polling agents obtain Form 17C after voting is over. This will ensure they have proof of the completion of voting and eliminate any doubts about EVMs.
BJP Demands Two-Phase Elections: BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal said that they have suggested to the Election Commission that the Bihar Assembly elections be conducted in two phases instead of one. He said that holding elections in multiple phases creates inconvenience for voters and increases candidate expenses. Additionally, special attention needs to be paid to the safety of voters, especially women voters. “We have requested that voting be conducted in two phases, as multiple phases increase the expenses for voters and candidates and disrupt all institutions. Voters should be provided security. We were also asked when the elections should be held. We have said that they can conduct elections only 28 days after the election announcement. There should be no delay in holding the elections.” – Dilip Jaiswal, President, Bihar BJP
JDU Demands Single-Phase Elections: Meanwhile, JDU Working President Sanjay Jha, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said that he advised the Election Commission that the law and order situation in Bihar is better. The Naxalite problem in the state has almost ended. Therefore, the Assembly elections should be held in one phase. If Assembly elections can be held in one phase in Maharashtra, why not in Bihar? Conducting elections in one phase will also reduce expenses. The Election Commission has done a great job on SIR. The names of those who were bogus voters have been removed from the voter list.
“Bihar is ready for a single-phase election. That’s why, on behalf of our party, we have suggested to the Election Commissioner that if elections are held in one phase, JDU will support it. We have also demanded the deployment of paramilitary forces at all polling booths in Bihar.” – Sanjay Jha, Working President, Janata Dal United
What did LJPR say?: On behalf of the Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas, the party’s National General Secretary Shahnawaz Ahmed Kaifi also suggested to the Election Commission that the Bihar Assembly elections be held in two phases. He said that the party has suggested to the Election Commission that the number of voters at polling stations with 1,200 voters be reduced to 800 to avoid inconvenience to the people. The Election Commission should make arrangements to bring senior citizens to the polling booth. Who all participated?: Dilip Jaiswal from BJP, Sanjay Jha from JDU, MLA Pratima Das and former working president Kaukab Qadri from Congress, Aurangabad MP Abhay Kushwaha and spokesperson Chittaranjan Gagan from RJD, Shahnawaz Ahmed Kaifi and spokesperson Rajesh Bhatt from LJP, Kumar Pravesh from CPIML and many other leaders participated in this meeting.
