Bihar Assembly Elections to be held in three phases; results to be out on November 10

New Delhi: Bihar Assembly elections will be held in three phases on October 28, November 3 and November 7, the Election Commission of India announced here today.  The counting of votes will be on November 10.

Following the announcement, the Model Code of Conduct comes in force from today.

The first phase of polling will cover 71 constituencies, including Left-wing extremism-hit areas. The second phase will cover 94 constituencies, while third phase will cover remaining 78 constituencies. Ten districts will have two-phase polling  and there will be separate guidelines issued for containment zones.

The Commission said for the first time,  postal ballot facility would be extended to voters aged over 85 years, and to COVID-19 suspects and patients. Moreover, the polling time would be from 7 am to 6 pm, except in LWE affected areas. In view of prevalence of COVID-19 pandemic, a candidate can file nomination and pay security deposit online. The Commission has also restricted door-to-door campaigning to five people, and only two people can accompany the candidate at the time of filing nomination papers.

Furthermore, in view of the pandemic, each polling station will have only 1000 voters and therefore the number of polling stations will now be increased to  more that one lakh.

The term of the 243-member Bihar  Legislative Assembly ends on November 29. Of the 243 seats, 38 are reserved for Scheduled Caste and 2 for Scheduled Tribes in the state.

Following are the details of the Bihar election schedule: