New Delhi: The Election Commission of India on Friday announced the schedule for Bihar Elections 2020. The Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections 2020 will be held in three phases on October 28, November 3 and November 7. The counting of votes and the results will be declared on November 10.
Bihar polls will be held in three phases; 1st phase to cover 71 assembly constituencies, 2nd phase for 94 seats and 3rd will have 78. Voting for First Phase of Bihar polls to be held on October 28, Second Phase on November 3 and Third Phase on November 7.
The Election Commission said that the number of phases for 243-member Bihar assembly polls have been reduced keeping in mind security arrangements and festive season.
EC said that voting time will be extended by one hour till 6 pm. COVID-19 patients can vote in last hour of the day.
7 lakh hand sanitisers, 46 lakh masks, 6 lakh PPE kits, 6.7 lakh face shields, 23 lakh pairs of hand gloves will be arranged for the Bihar polls.
Talking about Bihar polls during COVID-19 pandemic, EC said that Postal ballot facility will be provided wherever required and requested.
CEC Sunil Arora said, “Social distancing norms will need to be followed at public gatherings during election campaign.”
Sunil Arora said, “Social media use for mischievous purposes, flaring up communal tension will have consequences; Hate speech to be dealt with harshly.”
Bihar assembly polls will be one of the biggest elections globally to be held during prevailing COVID-19 situation.