PRESS NOTE
Subject : Schedule
for General Election to the Legislative Assembly of
Bihar and bye-election to Lok Sabha from 27-Banka Parliamentary
Constituency in the State.
The term of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Bihar is due to expire on 27.11.2010. By
virtue of its powers, duties and functions under Article 324 read with Article
172 (1) of Constitution and Section 15 of Representation of People Act, 1951,
the Commission is required to hold the General Election to the Bihar
Legislative Assembly before 27th
November 2010 so as to constitute a new Legislative Assembly for the
State before that date.
There is one casual vacancy in the
Lok Sabha from 27-Banka Parliamentary Constituency in Bihar, arisen due to the
death of sitting member Shri Digvijay Singh on
24.6.2010.
Assembly Constituencies
The total number of Assembly Constituencies in the State
of Bihar and the seats reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled
Tribes as determined by the Delimitation Commission under the Delimitation Act,
2002, are as under:
|
State
|
Total No.
of ACs
|
Reserved
for SC
|
Reserved
for ST
|
|
Bihar
|
243
|
38
|
02
|
Electoral Rolls
The electoral rolls of all the Assembly Constituencies as
delimited anew by the Delimitation Commission in the State of Bihar have been
revised with reference to 1.1.2010 as the qualifying date and have been finally
published. As per the final rolls, there are 5,50,88,402 electors in the State
of Bihar.
Photo Electoral Rolls
Bihar has photo electoral rolls, which will be used, in
the State during the forthcoming general elections for easy identification of
voters. Bihar has 89% electors with photographs in the rolls. Efforts are
continuing to increase the photo coverage in electoral rolls. All residual
electors without photograph in the rolls are advised to contact their nearest
Designated Photography Location (DPL) or the Electoral Registration Officer of
their AC for inclusion of Photographs in the roll against their names.
Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) and Identification of
Voters
Identification of
the voters at the polling booth at the time of poll shall be mandatory.
Electors who have been provided with EPIC shall be identified through EPIC
only. Presently, the EPIC coverage in the State of Bihar is 82.65%. All the
residual electors are advised to obtain their Elector Photo Identity Cards from
the Electoral Registration Officers of their Assembly Constituency.
In order to
ensure that no voter is deprived of his/her franchise, if his/her name figures
in the Electoral Rolls, separate instructions will be issued to allow
additional documents for identification of voters at the time of poll in the
General Election to the State.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
The poll in the
State of Bihar will be conducted at all polling stations using EVMs. The
Commission has already made arrangements to ensure availability of adequate
number of EVMs for the smooth conduct of elections. The Commission has issued a
new set of instructions with regard to the First Level Check of EVMs that will
be used in the polls in the State of Bihar. A two-stage randomization of EVMs
will be made. In the first stage, all the EVMs stored in the District storage
center will be randomized by the District Election Officer (DEO) in the presence
of the representatives of the recognized political parties for allocation
assembly constituency-wise. After the EVMs in a constituency are prepared for
poll by the Returning Officer and the ballot units are fitted with ballot
papers, the EVMs will again be randomized to decide the actual polling stations
in which they will be ultimately used. The second stage randomization will be
done in the presence of Observers and candidates or their election agents.
Law and Order and Deployment of Forces
Based on the assessment of the ground situation, Central
Police Forces (CPF) and State Armed Police (SAP) drawn from other States will
be deployed during the ensuing general elections. The CPF and SAP will be used
generally for safeguarding the polling stations and for providing security to
the electors and polling personnel at the polling stations on the poll day.
Besides, these forces will be used for securing the strong rooms where the EVMs
are stored and for securing the counting centers.
The Commission has been issuing instructions from time to
time with regard to the advance preventive measures to be taken by the District
Magistrates and Police authorities to maintain Law & Order and to create
atmosphere conducive for conduct of free and fair elections. The Commission
will be constantly monitoring the ground situation closely and will take
appropriate measures to ensure peaceful, free and fair polls in the State.
Observers
The Commission will deploy
General Observers in adequate number to ensure smooth conduct of forthcoming
General Elections in the State of Bihar. The Observers will be asked to keep a
close watch on every stage of the
electoral process to ensure free and fair elections. Their names,
addresses within the district/constituency and their telephone numbers will be
publicized in local newspapers so that the general public can quickly approach
them for any grievance redressal. The Observers will be given a detailed
briefing by the Commission before their deployment.
The Commission has also
decided to appoint adequate number of Expenditure Observers in the State who will exclusively monitor the
election expenditure of the contesting
candidates. Comprehensive instructions
for the purpose of effective
monitoring of the election expenditure of the candidates have been separately
issued by the Commission.
Micro Observers
In addition to General
Observers, the Commission will also deploy Micro-Observers to observe the poll
proceedings in the polling stations on the poll day in selected critical
polling stations. They will be chosen from Central Government/Central PSUs
officials. Micro-Observers will observe the proceedings on the poll day right
from the mock poll to the completion of poll and the process of sealing of EVMs
and other documents to ensure that all instructions of the Commission are
complied with by the Polling Parties and the Polling Agents. These
Micro-Observers will work directly under the control and supervision of the
General Observer. They will be tasked to ensure purity of polling process and
will report to the General Observers directly about any vitiation of the poll
proceedings in their allotted polling stations.
Similarly, it has been
decided to appoint micro observers for closely monitoring the expenditure of
the candidates. These micro observers will work directly under the control and
supervision of the Expenditure Observers and will report to them directly.
Instructions have been issued separately in this regard.
Conduct of Officials
The Commission expects all
officials engaged in the conduct of elections to discharge their duties in an
impartial manner without any fear or favour. They are deemed to be on
deputation to the Commission and shall be subject to its control, supervision
and discipline. Several instructions have been issued from time to time to
ensure impartiality of officials who are engaged in the conduct of elections.
The conduct of all government officials who have been entrusted with election
related responsibilities and duties would remain under constant scrutiny of the
Commission and strict action shall be taken against those officials who are
found wanting on any account. The Commission has already given instructions
that no election related official or Police officer of the rank of sub
Inspector and above shall be allowed to continue in his home district. Besides,
instructions have also been issued that election related officials including
police officials who have completed three years in a district during last four
years should be transferred out of that district. The State Government has also
been asked to transfer all those officers against whom the Commission has
recommended disciplinary action or who have been charged for any lapse during
previous elections or for any election related work, from positions entailing
any election work. The State Government has been instructed to ensure that
those who stand transferred shall move out physically from their last place of
posting and shall not remain there on any pretext including leave. The
Commission has also instructed the State Government not to associate any
officer with the electoral process against whom charges have been framed in a
court of law in any case.
Protection to SC/ST Electors
As per Section 3 (1)
(vii) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,
1989, whoever, not being a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe,
forces or intimidates a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe not to vote
or to vote
to a particular
candidate or to vote in a
manner other than that provided by law shall be punishable with imprisonment
for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five
years and with fine. The Commission has asked the State Government to bring
these provisions to the notice of all concerned for prompt action.
Polling Stations
There are 56,943 polling
stations in the State of Bihar. For the facility of physically challenged
persons, instructions have been issued to ensure that all polling stations as
far as practicable, are located at ground floor and ramps are provided.
Facilitation shall also be provided for locating electors’ names in a polling
station or a group of polling stations through help lines and facilitation
centers.
Polling Parties and Randomization
Polling parties shall be formed randomly,
through special application software. Three-stage randomization will be
adopted. First, from a wider district database of eligible officials, a
shortlist of about 120% of the required numbers will be randomly picked up.
This group will be trained for polling duties. In the second stage, from this
trained manpower, actual polling parties as required shall be formed by random
selection software in the presence of ECI Observers. In the third
randomization, the polling stations will be allocated randomly just before the
polling party’s departure.
District Election Plan
The District Election
Officers have been asked to prepare a comprehensive district election plan
including communication plan for conduct of elections. The communication plan
should include all resources such as landline telephones, mobile telephones,
wireless sets, satellite phones etc., to facilitate effective monitoring and
control on the day of
poll. The State Chief Electoral
Officer has also been asked
to open State Communication Center at State Capital as also Help Lines and
Control Rooms in each District/Assembly Constituency for the convenience of
electors.
Videography
All critical events will be
video-graphed. District Election Officers will arrange sufficient number of
video and digital cameras and camera teams for the purpose. The events for
videography will include filing of nomination, scrutiny thereof and allotment
of symbols, preparations and storage thereafter of Electronic Voting Machines,
important public meetings, processions etc. during campaign, process of
dispatching of postal ballot papers, polling process in identified vulnerable
polling stations, storage of polled EVMs, counting of votes etc. Digital
cameras will also be deployed inside polling booths wherever needed. CDs of video recordings will be available on
payment to anyone who wishes to obtain a copy of the same.
Model Code of Conduct
The Model Code of Conduct comes
into effect immediately from now onwards. All
the provisions of the Model Code will apply to the whole of the State of Bihar and will be applicable to all
candidates, political parties, the State Government of Bihar and the Union
Government from today itself. Attention of the political parties and candidates
is particularly invited to the following provisions of the Model Code:-
“There
shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques,
Churches, Temples or other places of worship
shall not be used as forum for election propaganda.”
Schedule of election.
The Commission has
prepared the schedule
for holding General
Elections to the Legislative
Assembly of Bihar after taking into consideration all relevant aspects, like
the climatic conditions, academic schedules, festivals, prevailing law and
order situation in the State, availability of Central Police Forces, time
needed for movement and proper deployment of forces, and assessment of other
ground realities. The Commission after
considering all relevant aspects has decided to recommend to the Governor of
Bihar to issue notifications for the General Elections to the Legislative
Assembly of Bihar under the relevant provisions of the Representation of the
People Act, 1951 as per the schedule annexed.
Bye –election schedule
The Commission has decided to hold the bye-election to Lok Sabha from
27-Banka Parliamentary Constituency simultaneously with the general election to
the Legislative Assembly with the same
schedule fixed for the Assembly Constituencies comprised within the said
Parliamentary Constituency , viz., 157-Sultanganj, 159-Amarpur, 160-Dhauraiya
(SC), 161-Banka, 162-Katoria (ST)
and 163-Belhar.
(Tapas Kumar)
Principal Secretary
SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE FOR GENERAL ELECTION TO THE
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF BIHAR
|
|
1st Phase
|
2nd Phase
|
3rd Phase
|
4th Phase
|
5th Phase
|
6th Phase
|
|
Date
of issue of notification
|
27.09.10
(Monday)
|
29.09.10
(Wednesday)
|
04.10.10
(Monday)
|
07.10.10
(Thursday)
|
15.10.10
(Friday)
|
27.10.10
(Wednesday)
|
|
Last
date for making nominations
|
04.10.10
(Monday)
|
06.10.10
(Wednesday)
|
11.10.10
(Monday)
|
14.10.10
(Thursday)
|
22.10.10
(Friday)
|
03.11.10
(Wednesday)
|
|
Date
for scrutiny of nominations
|
05.10.10
(Tuesday)
|
07.10.10
(Thursday)
|
12.10.10
(Tuesday)
|
15.10.10
(Friday)
|
23.10.10
(Saturday)
|
04.11.10
(Thursday)
|
|
Last
date for withdrawal of candidatures
|
07.10.10
(Thursday)
|
09.10.10
(Saturday)
|
14.10.10
(Thursday)
|
18.10.10
(Monday)
|
25.10.10
(Monday)
|
06.11.10
(Saturday)
|
|
Date
of poll, if necessary
|
21.10.10
(Thursday)
|
24.10.10
(Sunday)
|
28.10.10
(Thursday)
|
01.11.10
(Monday)
|
09.11.10
(Tuesday)
|
20.11.10
(Saturday)
|
|
Date
before which the election shall be completed
|
26.11.10
(Friday)
|
26.11.10
(Friday)
|
26.11.10
(Friday)
|
26.11.10
(Friday)
|
26.11.10
(Friday)
|
26.11.10
(Friday)
|
Counting shall be held on:
24.11.2010(Wednesday)
Number and Name of Assembly
Constituencies in Phase-1(47 ACs)
Hours of Poll : 7 AM TO 5 PM
31-Harlakhi
32-Benipatti
33-Khajauli
34-Babubarhi
35-Bisfi
36-Madhubani
37-Rajnagar(SC)
38-Jhanjharpur
39-Phulparas
40-Laukaha
41-Nirmali
42-Pipra
43-Supaul
44-Triveniganj(SC)
45-Chhatapur
46-Narpatganj
47-Raniganj(SC)
48-Forbesganj
49-Araria
50-Jokihat
51-Sikti
52-Bahadurganj
53-Thakurganj
54-Kishanganj
55-Kochadhaman
56-Amour
57-Baisi
58-Kasba
59-Banmankhi(SC)
60-Rupauli
61-Dhamdaha
62-Purnia
63-Katihar
64-Kadwa
65-Balrampur
66-Pranpur
67-Manihari(ST)
68-Barari
69-Korha(SC)
70-Alamnagar
71-Bihariganj
72-Singheshwar(SC)
73-Madhepura
74-Sonbarsha(SC)
75-Saharsa
Phase-1
Hours of Poll : 7 AM to 3 PM
76-Simri Bakhtiarpur
77-Mahishi
----------------X----------
Number and Name of Assembly
Constituencies in Phase-2(45 ACs)
Hours of Poll :
7 AM to 5 PM
22- Sheohar
23-Riga
24-Bathnaha(SC)
25-Parihar
26-Sursand
27-Bajpatti
28-Sitamarhi
29-Runnisaidpur
30-Belsand
78-Kusheshwar Asthan(SC)
79-Gaura Bauram
80-Benipur
81-Alinagar
82-Darbhanga Rural
83-Darbhanga
84-Hayaghat
85-Bahadurpur
86-Keoti
87-Jale
88-Gaighat
89-Aurai
91-Bochaha(SC)
92-Sakra(SC)
93-Kurhani
94-Muzaffarpur
95-Kanti
96-Baruraj
131-Kalyanpur(SC)
132-Warisnagar
133-Samastipur
134-Ujiarpur
135-Morwa
136-Sarairanjan
137-Mohiuddinnagar
138-Bibhutipur
139-Rosera(SC)
140-Hasanpur
12-Narkatia
17-Pipra
18-Madhuban
20-Chiraia
21-Dhaka
Phase-2
Hours of Poll 7 AM to 3 PM
90-Minapur
97-Paroo
98-Sahebganj
----------------X----------
Number and Name of Assembly
Constituencies in Phase-3 (48 ACs)
Hours of Poll :
7 AM to 5 PM
3-Narkatiaganj
4-Bagaha
5-Lauriya
6-Nautan
7-Chanpatia
8-Bettiah
9-Sikta
10-Raxaul
11-Sugauli
13-Harsidhi(SC)
14-Govindganj
15-Kesaria
16-Kalyanpur
19-Motihari
99-Baikunthpur
100-Barauli
101-Gopalganj
102-Kuchaikote
103-Bhorey(SC)
104-Hathua
105-Siwan
106-Ziradei
107-Darauli(SC)
108-Raghunathpur
109-Daraundha
110-Barharia
111-Goriakothi
112-Maharajganj
113-Ekma
114-Manjhi
115-Baniapur
116-Taraiya
117-Marhaura
118-Chapra
119-Garkha(SC)
120-Amnour
121-Parsa
122-Sonepur
123-Hajipur
124-Lalganj
125-Vaishali
126-Mahua
127-Raja Pakar(SC)
129-Mahnar
Phase-3
Hours of poll 7 AM to 3 PM
1-Valmikinagar
2-Ramnagar(SC)
128-Raghopur
130-Patepur(SC)
----------------X----------
Number and Name of Assembly
Constituencies in Phase-4 (42 ACs)
Hours of Poll :
7 AM to 5 PM
141-Cheria Bariarpur
142-Bachhwara
143-Teghra
144-Matihani
145-Sahebpur Kamal
146-Begusarai
147-Bakhri(SC)
149-Khagaria
150-Beldaur
151-Parbatta
168-Lakhisarai
165-Munger
152-Bihpur
153-Gopalpur
154-Pirpainti(SC)
155-Kahalgaon
156-Bhagalpur
157-Sultanganj
158-Nathnagar
178-Mokama
179-Barh
180-Bakhtiarpur
181-Digha
182-Bankipur
183-Kumhrar
184-Patna Sahib
185-Fatuha
186-Danapur
187-Maner
159-Amarpur
160-Dhauraiya(SC)
161-Banka
Hours of poll 7 AM to 3 PM
148-Alauli(SC)
167-Suryagarha
164-Tarapur
166-Jamalpur
162-Katoria(ST)
163-Belhar
240-Sikandra(SC)
241-Jamui
242-Jhajha
243-Chakai
----------------X----------
Number and Name of Assembly Constituencies in
Phase-5 (35 ACs)
Hours of Poll :
7 AM to 5 PM
192-Sandesh
193-Barhara
194-Arrah
195-Agiaon (SC)
196-Tarari
197-Jagdishpur
198-Shahpur
236-Hisua
237-Nawada
239-Warsaliganj
230-Gaya Town
232-Belaganj
233-Atri
234-Wazirganj
169-Sheikhpura
170-Barbigha
171-Asthawan
172-Biharsharif
173-Rajgir(SC)
174-Islampur
175-Hilsa
176-Nalanda
177-Harnaut
Hours of Poll 7 AM to 3 PM
235-Rajauli(SC)
238-Gobindpur
214-Arwal
215-Kurtha
216-Jehanabad
217-Ghosi
218-Makhdumpur(SC)
229-Bodh Gaya(SC)
188-Phulwari(SC)
189-Masaurhi(SC)
190-Paliganj
191-Bikram
----------------X----------
Number and Name of Assembly
Constituencies in Phase-6 (26 ACs)
Hours of Poll :
7 AM to 5 PM
199-Brahampur
200-Buxar
201-Dumraon
202-Rajpur(SC)
203-Ramgarh
204-Mohania(SC)
209-Kargahar
211-Nokha
220-Obra
223-Aurangabad
Hours of Poll 7 AM to 3 PM
205-Bhabua
206-Chainpur
207-Chenari(SC)
208-Sasaram
210-Dinara
212-Dehri
213-Karakat
219-Goh
221-Nabinagar
222-Kutumba(SC)
224-Rafiganj
225-Gurua
226-Sherghati
227-Imamganj(SC)
228-Barachatti(SC)
231-Tikari
----------------X----------
AD/DB