Even after coronavirus cases making new marks in Bihar and the opposition repeatedly seeking postponing the assembly elections to be held in October – November this year, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has put all apprehensions to a halt.
Sunil Arora reiterated on Monday that elections in Bihar will be held on time, with the polling panel making preparations keeping in mind the situation of Covid-19.
Arora said that several guidelines have been issued to prevent corona infection, and these guidelines will have to be followed even during the election process.
He further said that the Election Commission, State, and District Administration is preparing for the Bihar Assembly elections to be held on time.
He said that the maximum number of voters at a booth has been fixed at one thousand to take care of social distance during elections.
The Chief Election Commissioner of Bihar has decided to construct 33,797 additional polling booths for the state.
Due to this, the number of average voters at one booth in Bihar will be reduced from 985 to 678.
Apart from this, EVMs and VVPATs have been provided separately to Bihar.
Other political parties in Bihar, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Lok Janshakti Party, had urged the voting panel to postpone the elections in the state.
LJP had written a letter to the Election Commission and said that it is not appropriate to risk the lives of millions by conducting elections at this time.
Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh also said on Sunday that the current state of Bihar is not favorable for the assembly elections.
The Election Commission had sought suggestions from political parties on conducting assembly elections in the state.
The term of the present assembly in Bihar will expire on 29 November.
If the election process is not completed in the state by 28 November, President’s rule will be imposed.