Gyanesh Kumar-led ECI team visits poll-bound Bihar to review preparedness for polls

The ECI team visited the state capital Patna to review preparations for the upcoming assembly elections.

The team also comprises Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

The ECI team normally makes a routine visit to poll-bound states ahead of announcing the schedule.

The state elections must be concluded by November 22, when the current term ends.

The team under Kumar's leadership held a meeting with 12 recognised political parties from the state, which is currently under the NDA government.

The ECI posted on X, "Under the chairmanship of the Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar, the discussion with all 12 recognized political parties of Bihar began with Election Commissioner Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Election Commissioner Dr. Vivek Joshi, Bihar's Chief Electoral Officer Shri Vinod Gunjyal, and senior officials of the Commission."

Prior to Bihar visit, the ECI organised a briefing for General, Police and Expenditure Observers to be deployed as Central Observers for the forthcoming General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar and bye-elections in certain states.

425 Officers including 287 IAS officers, 58 IPS officers, and 80 officers from IRS/IRAS/ICAS and other services attended the meeting. The briefing meeting was held at IIIDEM, New Delhi.

Kumar along with Sandhu and Joshi briefed the Central Observers. Addressing the Observers, CEC Gyanesh Kumar described them as the beacons of democracy.