Multi-phase assembly poll likely in Bihar

The high-stakes battle for Bihar, essentially between BJP and the 'Janata Parivar' is likely to be fought in a multi-phased election to the Assembly, probably between late October and early November sandwiched between festivals.
Election Commission sources said hectic work is on to tie up various issues before the full commission makes a visit to the Bihar for assessing the preparedness of the state's electoral machinery ahead of finalising the poll schedule.
Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti are likely to visit Patna early next month for discussions with top officials of the administration and police and representatives of political parties.

The Commission is said to be looking at a window before festival season starts late October or to squeeze some phases between Dussehra and Diwali for holding the polls. Though a final decision is yet to be taken on the number of phases, it is likely to between four or five.
The term of the 243-member Bihar assembly ends on November 29 and the new House should be in place before that. Elections under the Constitution can be held anytime six months before the due date.
After the thrashing in the Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP is setting great store by the Bihar elections where foes-- Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad--have come together in an uneasy alliance.

The Bihar polls will be followed by a round of Assembly elections in various states including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Assam.
As the Commission prepares to publish the final electoral rolls on July 31, a team sent by the poll panel to Bihar briefed it on Friday about the election preparedness of the official machinery.
The team briefed the Commission about the progress in preparing the electoral rolls, vulnerability mapping of sensitive constituencies, awareness campaign for voters to get their names included in electoral rolls and threat perception.