Bihar polls: Election Commission holds virtual meet with Congress, RJD, non-NDA parties

Ahe of impending Bihar Assembly elections, Election Commission (EC) on Friday held a virtual meeting with n-National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties, including Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). RJD leer Tejashwi Yav and LJP Leer Chirag Paswan have demanded assembly polls be postponed for safety and security in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier in day, parties including RJD, Congress, RLSP, and HAM wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora urging him to reassess conducting upcoming Bihar Assembly polls. Contending that COVID-19 situation in Bihar is “rapidly worsening”, parties called for an informed decision regarding holding elections. y requested CEC to evolve a mechanism that protects health of democracy as well as that of people. 

Pointing out that COVID-19 pandemic has affected Bihar bly, political parties highlighted existence of 89 containment zones in Patna and lockdown being re-imposed in 16 districts of state. Currently, re are 21,764 confirmed vel coronavirus cases in Bihar out of which 14,018 patients have been discharged while 197 fatalities have been reported. 

Moreover, y claimed that re are many more infected people who haven't been tested. According to m, re was a possibility of Bihar having more than a million vel coronavirus cases by October-vember, when election is scheduled to take place.

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poll body h on Thursday said it has decided t to extend postal ballot facility to voters above 65 years of in assembly elections and or impending bypolls in view of decision to limit number of electors at each polling station to 1,000, for which 45% more polling stations will be created in poll-bound state.

While speaking exclusively to Republic TV on Friday, Tejashwi Yav said, "I don’t want people to die. We should t hold elections over de bodies. People should t go to crematorium from polling booth. If people do t participate in elections n democracy will have meaning. elections should be deferred.”

Elections in pandemic period

Even though Election Commission has alrey geared up its preparation for Bihar assembly polls, y may find it difficult to hold elections in se testing times, till infections curve is flattened in state. A large number of officials are required to hold elections, which may also be a challenge.

Bihar Assembly will complete its tenure on vember 29 and if elections are deferred, state may he for President’s rule till elections are held.

(With ANI inputs) (PTI Photo)

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