File Photo: Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi
Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi speaks to NDTV today on Bihar Election Results.
Here are the highlights - Bihar is traditionally known for higher women turnout on account of their social and political awareness
- We started our planning in April and we launched a comprehensive program to increase enrolment of women
- 50 lakh more women have been brought on to the electoral roll compared to 2010 (when it was 1.4 crore now 1.9 crore)
- It is a remarkable achievement of our machinery
- Due to the outstanding law and order arrangement created a very secure environment
- So women in particular were very enthused and turned up in large numbers
- Regarding 'khao piyo mahol', EC made great strides in curbing abuse of money, distribution of liquor
- Yes, we found lot of foreign currency, fake currency, it is quite noticeable
- In 2010 - Rs 35 Lakh seized. In 2015 - Rs 50 crores seized (with help from tax authorities as well)
- The planning of the election was such (in the festive season) to ensure the secure and peaceful environment which was critical
- We need to see how we can shorten the election period
- There was no violence, no bloodshed. There was hardly any irregularity. Only 2 repolls and that too on account of human error
- Election was conducted under best possible procedural manner
- If you compare data of 2010 and 2015, additional voters are 1.2 cores
- I would attribute this additional number is to 'teamwork'
- Some of the political parties did appoint booth level agents
- I would say it is awareness and information to voters, so everyone was involved