Patna: The political atmosphere in Bihar is heating up as the state prepares for its next assembly elections. According to sources in the Election Commission, polling is likely to take place in the first half of November, and the results could be announced before 20 November. The term of the current assembly ends on 22 November, which means the entire process of forming the new government must be completed before that date.
Officials have indicated that voting will most likely be conducted in two or three phases this time. The commission is considering a shorter schedule, as it will be easier to handle from both the security and administrative points of view. Elections are expected to be held between 5 and 15 November, after the major festivals of Diwali and Chhath. Kartik Purnima, an important religious occasion, will also be taken into account before finalising the dates. The official announcement is expected in the first or second week of October, once Durga Puja concludes.
Preparations for the polls have already begun across the state. The voter list has been revised, and for the first time, the rule of allowing a maximum of 1,200 voters at each polling station will be enforced. This will increase the number of booths in Bihar from 77,000 to over 90,000, requiring the administration to set up around 13,000 new polling stations with fresh arrangements. An Election Commission team is also set to visit Bihar soon to review the preparations.
Meanwhile, political parties are moving fast to be ready for the contest. In the ruling NDA camp, a seat-sharing formula has nearly been decided. Sources suggest that the Janata Dal (United) could contest 102 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party 101, Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas) 20, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha 10, and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha 10. The opposition grand alliance is also working on its candidate list and strategies to put up a strong challenge.
As the announcement of election dates draws closer, the activities of leaders and parties have increased sharply across Bihar. With campaigning set to start in full force, the political temperature of the state is certain to rise once the schedule is officially released.
