New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability in the electoral process, with no repolls recommended following the post-poll scrutiny of documents from Phase-I of the Bihar assembly elections.
The Commission had earlier issued consolidated instructions for the detailed examination of Form 17A (Register of Voters) and other poll-day records to detect procedural irregularities or malpractices at polling stations. This exercise, aimed at enhancing trust in the electoral process, was carried out across all 121 assembly constituencies that went to the polls in the first phase.
Scrutiny was conducted in the presence of 121 returning officers (ROs) and 121 general observers (GOs) appointed by the ECI. All candidates were informed in advance about the date, time and venue of the scrutiny to ensure full transparency. Around 455 candidates or their representatives participated in the process.
According to ECI officials, the entire scrutiny exercise was videographed, and all related materials, including Form 17A registers, were re-sealed with the RO’s seal after examination. “No discrepancy or malpractice was found at any polling station,” the Commission stated, confirming that no re-poll was required in any constituency from the first phase.
On Thursday, Bihar witnessed a vibrant display of democracy as the first phase of the assembly elections concluded in a peaceful and festive atmosphere. By the end of polling, the voter turnout reached a historic high of 64.66%, the highest ever recorded in Bihar. With 121 constituencies across 18 districts going to the polls, over 3.75 crore voters were eligible to cast their votes.
At the district level, Begusarai recorded the highest turnout at 67.32%, while Sheikhpura saw one of the lowest at roughly 52.36%.