Bihar polls to be completed before 29 November: CEC
Announcement puts a lid on speculations that the polls were heading to dates beyond 29 Nov, the day the tenure of the present assembly expires
Patna: The Election Commission is yet to announce the dates of Bihar assembly elections, but Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said on Saturday that the poll process in the state will be completed before 29 November.
Zaidi’s announcement puts a lid on speculations that the polls were heading to dates beyond 29 November, the day the tenure of the present assembly expires. The speculations fuelled as August and September are times of floods in the state and this period will be followed by festivals such as Eid, Dushehra, Muharram, Diwali and Chhath in October and November.
The state faces President’s rule if the election process is not over by 29 November. Zaidi was on a two-day visit to Patna for a review meeting on preparedness for the assembly elections. He met representatives of 10 national and state parties as well as top administrative officers, including the chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP).
On the poll dates and phases, Zaidi said, “Political parties have given their suggestions regarding election timetable, floods and festivals. We have taken all inputs, which will be duly considered and a decision will be taken at and appropriate time."
Zaidi expressed satisfaction over his meeting with state government officials. Zaidi said Bihar chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh and DGP P.K. Thakur have assured him that the model code of conduct will be strictly implemented and communal harmony maintained at all cost. PTI
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