Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections 2020 – Phase 1

The Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections 2020 will be held in three phases on October 28, November 3, and 7. The counting of votes and the results will be declared on November 10. The Election Commission said the polls will be held in fewer phases this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the first phase of voting, 71 Assembly constituencies in 16 districts will go to polls.

Amid the pandemic, several measures have been taken for campaigning and polling to ensure the safety of leaders and voters.

The EC has laid down various SOPs which includes following the mandatory norms by the Centre such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. 

1)      Only 1000 voters allowed to cast vote in 1 polling booth.

2)  46 lakh face masks and 6 lakh face shields have also been arranged for the elections.

3)     Maximum of 2 vehicles allowed by the candidate to file nomination.

4)   Mandatory to adhere to social distancing norms while campaigning, only 5 people will be allowed for door to door campaigning.

5)     Voting hours have been increased by an hour which is 7 am-6 pm.

6)     If a person is COVID 19 positive they will be allowed to cast vote in the last hour of voting.

7)     Nomination and affidavit can be filled up online and print out submitted to RO.

8)     Security deposit for the nomination can be submitted online.

9)  The interval between two sets of a convoy of vehicles should be half an hour instead of a gap of 100 meters

10)  Wearing masks during all election-related activities is mandatory

11)   All polling booths will have the facility of thermal screening, soaps, and sanitizers

12)  Large rooms and halls will be identified as polling booths so that social distancing can be maintained

13)   A maximum of 7 counting tables will be allowed inside the counting hall.

14)   The Election Commission earlier decided not to extend the postal ballot facility to voters over 65 years, citing challenges and constraints to implementing this rule.

15)   The postal ballot rule would, however, be applicable for voters over the age of 80, disabled, or those suffering from coronavirus.

16)   All physical meetings have been curtailed for election meetings and campaigns.

17)   All polling stations will have gloves, masks, sanitisers, soap, and all other medical equipment needed to deal with medical situations.

18)   All polling stations will be on the ground floor for ease of access to persons with disabilities. Transport, wheelchairs, and other provisions will also be available.

Phase 1: Date of Polling – 28 October 2020

  Date of Result – 10 November 2020

Important Dates:

Poll Events	Date of issue of notification	Last date of nomination	Scrutiny of nomination	Last date of withdrawal	Date of polling	Result Declaration
Dates	01.10.2020	08.10.2020	09.10.2020	12.10.2020	28.10.2020	10.11.2020

The constituencies which will be scheduled for polling in this phase include the following:

1	Kahalgaon	21	Barhara
2	Sultanganj	22	Arrah
3	Amarpur	23	Agiaon
4	Dhoraiya	24	Tarari
5	Banka	25	Jagdishpur
6	Katoria	26	Shahpur
7	Belhar	27	Brahampur
8	Tarapur	28	Buxar
9	Munger	29	Dumraon
10	Jamalpur	30	Rajpur
11	Suryagarha	31	Ramgarh
12	Lakhisarai	32	Mohania
13	Sheikhpura	33	Bhabua
14	Barbigha	34	Chainpur
15	Mokama	35	Chenari
16	Barh	36	Sasaram
17	Masaurhi	37	Kargahar
18	Paliganj	38	Dinara
19	Bikram	39	Nokha
20	Sandesh	40	Dehri

41	Karakat	57	Bodh Gaya
42	Arwal	58	Gaya Town
43	Kurtha	59	Tekari
44	Jehanabad	60	Belaganj
45	Ghosi	61	Atri
46	Makhadumapur	62	Wazirganj
47	Goh	63	Rajauli
48	Obra	64	Hisua
49	Nabinagar	65	Nawada
50	Kutumba	66	Gobindpur
51	Aurangabad	67	Warsaliganj
52	Rafiganj	68	Sikandra
53	Gurua	69	Jamui
54	Sherghati	70	Jhajha
55	Imamganj	71	Chakai
56	Barachatti