Five-phase Bihar polls from October 12

Five-phase Bihar polls from October 12 Counting of votes will be held on November 8.

Bihar Assembly elections will be held on October 12, October 16, October 20, November 1 and November 5 spread in five phases, announced Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Counting of votes will be held on November 8.

Over 6 crore people are expected to exercise their franchise.

The Election Commission also announced that special security measures will be undertaken in sensitive areas. The Election Commission announced single window system for speedy approval of permission for political parties for electioneering.

All the booths will be manned by the central para-military forces, said the Election Commission. It also stated that the EVMs will have the candidates’ photo.

The model code of conduct will come into effect from today, said the Election Commission.

The term of the 243-member Bihar Assembly comes to an end on November 29.

After ruling the State for ten years, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is seeking a third term this time in alliance with RJD and Congress after he walked out of NDA in June, 2013 snapping 17-year-old ties with BJP.

The BJP, which had almost swept the state in the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP and Upendra Kushwaha’s RLSP, is hoping to repeat its performance.

First phase of polling on – October 12

Second phase of polling on – October 16

Third phase of polling on – October 28

Fourth phase of polling on – November 1

Fifth phase of polling on – November 5