SINCE ANNOUNCING the schedule for the Bihar Assembly elections on October 6, the Election Commission has issued over a dozen press releases, with at least one being issued each weekday. The press notes cover the routine measures taken by the commission during an election — from the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct to the randomisation of EVMs. This is a break from the usual practice, where the poll panel would issue a detailed release on the announcement of the polls and then only give updates on significant developments such as seizure of cash, liquor and drugs during the MCC period. It is learnt that the EC decided to boost communication during the Bihar elections, which are the first ones in Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s tenure, in order to spread awareness of all the steps leading up to polling day.
Playing Safe
IT HAS been a tough few days for the Congress’s leadership in Bihar, including state president Rajesh Ram, who have been facing the brunt of those denied tickets in the upcoming Assembly elections. According to sources, Rajesh Ram dodged calls and didn’t reveal his location to those who called him Sunday. On Wednesday, three senior leaders — Krishna Allavaru, Rajesh Ram and Shakeel Ahmad Khan — were heckled at Patna airport, allegedly by angry supporters of senior Congress leader Ashok Gagan, who was denied the ticket from Bikram seat in Patna district. Congress leaders said Allavaru had to return to Delhi due to the rising heat.
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