Updated: September 25, 2020 3:32 PM IST 
New Delhi: The Election Commission is holding a press conference in New Delhi to announce the dates for the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. The voting to elect a fresh 243-member assembly is likely to take place in mid-October.
“The term of assembly in the state of Bihar is due to expire on 29th November 2020. Bihar assembly has a strength of 243 members, of whom 38 seats are reserved for SCs and two for STs,” Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said.
Notably, this is the first state election to be held in the country during the coronavirus pandemic.
The EC also issued a set of guidelines to be followed throughout the process. Social distancing will be strictly adhered to and everyone will have to wear masks at polling booths.
In addition, over 7 lakh hand sanitiser units, about 46 lakh masks, 6 lakh PPE kits, 6.7 lakh units of faces-shields, 23 lakh (pairs of) hand gloves have been arranged for the elections.
“Covid-19 pandemic has forced a new normal in all aspects of life; Bihar polls to be held under new security protocols,” said the election commissioner.
Due to COVID protocols, only journalists accredited with the PIB have been allowed to attend the presser.
In 2015, the alliance of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal-United and the Congress had swept the polls but JD-U has since aligned with the BJP.
#Bihar: Opposition parties stage protest against the new agriculture reform bills in Gaya, today
"We're protesting anti-farmer laws which must be repealed by the Central Govt. It'll only benefit corporations & will lead to the closure of all mandis," says an RJD district worker pic.twitter.com/X1ZGbGZnKC
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2020
For the 1st time such a large exercise is to be held in world during COVID. People of Bihar have faith in Modi ji, also govt under Nitish Kumar ji & Sushil Modi ji has worked for people. It'll be re-elected: Devendra Fadnavis, Former Maharashtra CM & BJP #BiharPolls -in charge pic.twitter.com/4G8Zhl4hov
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2020
Bihar Elections 2020 LIVE: We are confident that NDA will get a majority and Nitish Kumar ji will be Chief Minister again: Union Minister and MP from Patna Sahib Ravi Shankar Prasad
#COVID19 patients who're quarantined will be able to cast their vote at the last hour of the day of poll, at their respective polling stations, under the supervision of health authorities. This is beside the option of postal facility already extended to them: CEC. #BiharElections pic.twitter.com/hTW1wE4sgI
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2020
In 1st phase, 71 Assembly constituencies in 16 districts, including most of the LWE (Left wing extremism) affected districts will go for poll. In 2nd phase, 94 Assembly constituencies in 17 districts & in 3rd phase, 78 Assembly constituencies in 15 districts will go for poll: CEC https://t.co/yIFN9NX470 pic.twitter.com/KolS9PlXGe
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2020
Bihar Elections 2020 LIVE: Polling to be conducted in 3 phases, announces CEC. In the first phase, elections will be held in 71 Assembly constituencies. In the second phase, 94 Assembly constituencies will go to polls and in the third phase, polling will be held in 78 Assembly constituencies.
Bihar Elections 2020 LIVE: Polling to be conducted in 3 phases, announces CEC. In the first phase, elections will be held in 71 Assembly constituencies. In the second phase, 94 Assembly constituencies will go to polls and in the third phase, polling will be held in 78 Assembly constituencies.
Bihar to vote in 3 phases on 28th October, 3rd and 7th November; results on 10th November, announces Election Commission #BiharPolls pic.twitter.com/8KpZBkv0V4
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2020
Bihar Elections 2020 LIVE: Polling to be conducted in 3 phases, announces CEC. In the first phase, elections will be held in 71 Assembly constituencies. In the second phase, 94 Assembly constituencies will go to polls and in the third phase, polling will be held in 78 Assembly constituencies.
Bihar Elections 2020 LIVE: Polling to be conducted in 3 phases, announces CEC. In the first phase, elections will be held in 71 Assembly constituencies. In the second phase, 94 Assembly constituencies will go to polls and in the third phase, polling will be held in 78 Assembly constituencies.
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