ECI Begins Ground Review For Bihar Assembly Polls, All-Party Meeting Underway In Patna

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched an on-ground review of preparations for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections later this year. A delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar arrived in Patna on Friday to oversee arrangements aimed at ensuring a free and fair electoral process.

An important all-party meeting is currently underway at the Taj Hotel in Patna, chaired by CEC Kumar and attended by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. Senior ECI officials, along with Bihar’s Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Gunjyal, are also present. Representatives from all 12 recognized political parties in Bihar are participating to review key aspects of the electoral process.

In a post on X, the ECI confirmed: “ECI delegation led by CEC Gyanesh Kumar and ECs Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi arrives in Patna today to review poll preparedness for forthcoming Bihar Assembly Elections.”

Preparation of Central Observers

Ahead of the Bihar visit, the ECI had conducted a detailed briefing for Central Observers in New Delhi, including 425 officers — 287 IAS, 58 IPS, and 80 from IRS, IRAS, ICAS, and other services — at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM).

Addressing the officers, CEC Kumar called the Observers the “beacons of democracy” and emphasized their role in ensuring impartial and transparent elections. Observers are tasked with staying accessible to political parties, candidates, and voters to address grievances and monitor voter-friendly measures at polling stations.

Central Observers are appointed under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. They function as the ECI’s “eyes and ears” on the ground, ensuring that election laws are strictly implemented, political parties and candidates follow rules, and voters’ rights are protected.

Poll Dates and Preparations

While the official dates for the Bihar Assembly elections have not yet been announced, sources suggest the ECI is expected to declare them on October 6 or 7. With the all-party meeting underway and preparations in full swing, Bihar is gearing up for a critical electoral event later this year.