New Initiatives Set to Smoother Bihar Assembly Elections
The Election Commission (EC) has rolled out 17 new initiatives aimed at conducting the upcoming Bihar assembly election more smoothly. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced that several of these measures will be adopted nationwide in future elections, signaling a broader push to modernize voting, counting, and voter management across India.
What the 17 Initiatives Cover
At a press conference in Patna, the CEC outlined a mix of improvements spanning preparation, polling day operations, and post-poll activities. Key elements include enhanced training for election staff, revised procedures to reduce crowding at polling sites, and new steps to ensure transparent and efficient counting. As Kumar noted, some initiatives focus on the conduct of elections, while others target the counting process to accelerate results without compromising accuracy.
Strengthened Voter Lists and Staff Training
One notable aspect is the ongoing cleansing of voter rolls. Kumar highlighted that in Bihar, an Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) is present in all 243 assembly constituencies. The collaboration among 243 EROs and 90,207 BLOs (Booth Level Officers) has modernized the voter list after nearly two decades, helping reduce errors and improve accessibility for voters.
Beyond voter list accuracy, the EC has expanded training for field staff. Over 7,000 BLOs and BLO supervisors from across India, including Bihar, were trained at IIIDEM in New Delhi. This training aims to standardize procedures, improve voter outreach, and ensure uniform application of guidelines across states.
Remuneration and Buffers for Polling Teams
The CEC announced a doubling of honorariums for BLOs, BLO supervisors, polling/counting staff, CAPF personnel, monitoring teams, and micro-observers. For the first time, honorarium has been introduced for EROs and AEROs, signaling a commitment to better compensate front-line workers who ensure smooth election logistics.
Voter Convenience and Access
Several measures are designed to ease the voting experience and reduce queues on polling day. Provisions for refreshments during polling and better crowd management are highlighted. A practical change involves counters placed just outside polling stations to allow voters to deposit or scan mobile devices conveniently and securely. The EC aims to minimize congestion and create more space for voters, particularly in dense urban areas and high-rise residential complexes.
Meeting Public Safety and Transparency Goals
The EC also announced new security and transparency features, including longer-term strategies for managing large crowds and ensuring orderly polling. Among the notable steps is the introduction of 100-meter zones around polling stations for the placement of unofficial identity slips, intended to streamline verification while preventing confusion at the point of voting.
Technology and Transparency at the Core
In a bid to enhance transparency, the EC revised guidelines to improve the readability of EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) ballot papers. The 2024 Bihar polls will see EVMs equipped with color photographs of candidates for the first time, making ballots easier to understand for voters. The EC also committed to 100 percent webcasting of polling booths, a move that could substantially enhance monitoring and accountability during voting and counting phases.
What This Means for the Election Landscape
These 17 initiatives reflect the EC’s broader strategy to standardize election administration across India while allowing for localized optimization. With early signals of a nationwide rollout, the measures could influence how subsequent elections are conducted, potentially reducing waiting times, improving vote accuracy, and increasing public trust in the electoral process.
Public Reception and Next Steps
As Bihar moves toward the polls, voters and political stakeholders will be watching how these changes impact turnout and the overall voting experience. The EC has invited public feedback on the new measures and will continue to monitor their effectiveness in the coming weeks and months as campaigns intensify across the state and beyond.
Follow us for more updates on Bihar polls and national electoral reforms as the Election Commission implements these 17 initiatives and tests their broader applicability in future elections.
