Bihar parties to meet EC ahead of assembly polls

Political parties in Bihar are scheduled to meet with a team from the Election Commission (EC) in Patna on Saturday, ahead of the state’s assembly elections. The two-day visit, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, is part of the E.C. 's routine consultations with political parties before polls, aimed at ensuring smooth, fair, and transparent elections.

Prominent parties, including the BJP, Congress, JD(U), RJD, and CPI(ML) Liberation, can send up to three representatives each. While such meetings are standard ahead of elections, this year the discussions are expected to focus on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list and other election-related preparations.

The SIR, conducted between June and September, sought to verify and clean the electoral roll, removing duplicate entries, correcting errors, and identifying ineligible voters. By doing so, the E.C. aims to strengthen the credibility of the upcoming polls and prevent irregularities in voting. The final list published on September 30 shows 7.42 crore voters, marking a reduction of over 47 lakh from June.

The EC meeting serves multiple purposes:

• To hear party concerns and feedback on the voter list, polling arrangements, security, and other election logistics.

• To clarify controversies such as the SIR, ensuring all parties understand the methodology and safeguards.

• To coordinate preparations, including deployment of staff, polling booths, and grievance redressal mechanisms.

• To reinforce transparency and neutrality, addressing any political claims before announcing the election schedule.

The BJP-led NDA has defended the SIR as a step to remove “impurities”, while the opposition alleges it may have led to wrongful exclusion of voters. Saturday’s discussions are expected to be pivotal in setting the pre-election narrative, balancing party concerns, and helping the EC ensure a free, fair, and credible election in Bihar.