Chief Election Commissioner Vows Peaceful Bihar Elections Amid Violence

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Gyanesh Kumar, has assured voters that the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections will be conducted peacefully and transparently, following a recent violent incident that raised concerns about the electoral process. His statements came in the wake of the arrest of Anant Singh, a candidate from the Janata Dal (United) party, linked to the murder of local leader Dularchand Yadav.

During a press event, Kumar emphasized the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding violence. He stated, “The ECI has zero tolerance towards violence. Elections in Bihar will be conducted peacefully, lawfully, and with complete transparency, ensuring that every voter has the opportunity to express their will and participate in this democratic festival.” Kumar expressed hopes that all eligible voters in Bihar would exercise their right to vote.

Upcoming Election Schedule

The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections is set for November 6, 2025, with the second phase scheduled for November 11, 2025. The counting of votes will commence on November 14, 2025. Kumar’s reassurances aim to bolster public confidence as the state gears up for what he described as a “democratic festival.”

Earlier, while addressing an event organized by the Mathur Vaishya Samaj in Kanpur, Kumar referred to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls as the largest exercise of its kind aimed at purifying the voters’ list. He remarked, “The day electoral rolls containing names of 51 crore voters in 12 states get purified, it will be historic and something that has never been attempted in the past.”

Context of Recent Violence

The CEC’s commitment to a violence-free election took on added significance following the late-night arrest of Anant Singh. His apprehension occurred just days before the first phase of voting, sending shockwaves through Bihar’s political landscape. Reports indicate that the violence erupted on October 30 in Mokama, where a confrontation took place between supporters of the Jan Swaraj Party and Singh’s faction.

According to IANS, the incident unfolded as Jan Swaraj Party candidate Piyush Priyadarshi, also known as Lallu Mukhiya, was campaigning alongside Dularchand Yadav. Tensions escalated quickly when Anant Singh and his supporters traversed the same area. A verbal dispute turned into a violent clash, resulting in stone pelting and physical altercations. Tragically, Dularchand Yadav sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

As the electoral process approaches, Kumar’s firm stance against violence seeks to reassure voters that their rights will be protected and that the elections will reflect the will of the people. The coming weeks will be critical for Bihar as political parties prepare for a highly charged electoral battle.