Election Commission Announces Bihar Poll Dates: Highlights

New Delhi: The Election Commission today announced the schedule for the Bihar assembly polls. The term of the 243-member state assembly comes to an end on November 29.

Here are the highlights of the announcement:

• We have devoted a lot of preparations to Bihar elections.
• The Commission has made more than adequate arrangements of central paramilitary forces.
• The Commission has ensured assessment of all vulnerable points where anti-social elements have been recognised.
• Out of 243 Assembly constituencies, 47 are affected by left-wing extremism, 29 districts out of 38 are covered under left-wing extremism.
• The Commission has mounted special vigilance, security strategies to ensure safety of voters.
• The Commission will ensure that common man is not harassed by field level machinery.
• The Election Voting Machines will be carry photos of the candidates.
• In a first, voters will get paper receipts in 36 constituencies.
• Model Code of Conduct will be enforced with immediate effect.
• The elections to be conducted in five stages.
• Dates for five-phase polls are: October 12, October 16, October 28, November 1 and November 5.
• The counting of votes will be held on November 8th.