Patna: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that voters aged 85 and above, as well as those with disabilities, will be able to cast their votes via postal ballot in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The commission has directed authorities to ensure extensive publicity and easy availability of postal ballots, facilitating participation for an estimated 11.23 lakh eligible voters.
In addition to expanding voting access, the ECI has emphasised measures to curb the spread of fake news on social media. Officials have been instructed to implement robust media monitoring and certification mechanisms ahead of the elections.
Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Manish Garg, along with other senior ECI officials, reviewed preparations for the elections on Tuesday via a video conference. The meeting included Bihar’s Chief Electoral Officer, the ADG Headquarters and State Police Nodal Officer Kundan Krishnan, and all divisional commissioners, IGs, DIGs, district magistrates, and superintendents of police.
District election officers presented detailed reports covering a range of topics, including voter awareness campaigns, law and order preparedness, polling station availability, electoral roll updates, and EVM and VVPAT readiness. Discussions also focused on vulnerability mapping, training plans for polling staff, and strategies to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election.
The commission directed the effective deployment of paramilitary forces and reviewed the recovery of arms and enforcement of previous election-related cases. Surveillance arrangements, static teams, flying squads, and security measures at interstate borders and check posts were also assessed.
Additional guidelines included ensuring minimum facilities at all polling stations, such as electricity, water, ramps, toilets, furniture, and signage. New initiatives were highlighted, including secure arrangements for mobile phones at polling sites, allowing political parties to set up informal booths within 100 metres of polling stations, and the counting of postal ballots before the declaration of final results.
