New Delhi [India], November 8 (HBTV): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued consolidated instructions on the post-poll scrutiny of Form 17A (Register of Voters) and other poll-day documents to strengthen transparency and detect any irregularities at polling stations. The Commission stated that all candidates were informed in advance about the date, time, and venue of the scrutiny.
Accordingly, scrutiny of documents was conducted smoothly in all 121 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) that went to polls in Phase-I of the Bihar Assembly elections, in the presence of 121 Returning Officers (ROs) and 121 General Observers (GOs) appointed by the Commission.
‘Around 455 candidates or their agents also participated in the scrutiny process,’ the poll body noted.
The ECI’s release added that after scrutiny, no discrepancies or malpractices were found at any polling station, and no re-poll was recommended in Phase-I of the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections.
‘The entire process was videographed, and after scrutiny, Forms 17A and related materials were re-sealed with the RO’s seal,’ it stated.
Meanwhile, the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections concluded peacefully on Thursday, recording a historic voter turnout of 64.66 per cent — the highest ever in the state’s electoral history.
The previous record turnout was 62.57 per cent, registered in the 2000 elections. Of the 45,341 polling booths in Bihar, the 64.66 per cent turnout is based on data from 41,943 booths. The Bihar Chief Electoral Officer said that the final figures will be released in due course.
The first phase of voting covered 121 seats across 18 districts, with 3.75 crore voters eligible to exercise their franchise. The second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections will be held on November 11, and vote counting will take place on November 14.
(ANI)