PATNA: Incredible as it may sound, Bihar, notorious for its gun culture during polls, is in for a better record. If the final phase on November 20 passes off peacefully, it will be first of its kind in the state’s electoral history.
In the last five phases, stretching over a month, there was not a single instance of killing or violence. Nor have there been serious complaints of rigging or booth capturing and re-polling has been ordered in only 12 booths in all.
However, many fear the state cannot break its record of violence. Even in 1952 election, the first in independent India, Bihar had witnessed violence. During the 2005 Assembly election, there were five poll-related killings. There were seven killings in 2009 Lok Sabha poll.
What is behind the cause of the dramatic change in a state considered to be one of the most backward and ruled by mafia gangs under the patronage of politicians?
According to A K Anshu Mali, the additional chief electoral officer in Bihar, there are a number of reasons behind the complete shift.
There is tight security, and the administrative machinery is quite alert. Besides, there was also rationalisation in voters’ list and voter identity cards. Mali agreed that a general awareness has grown that violence would no longer pay.
“In fact, as you move around in various places, there is a sense of security and that mafia raj has almost ended. More than 52,000 have been put behind bars and local thugs and history-sheeters are no longer in circulation,” he said.
In contrast to earlier elections when criminal elements were helped to be released from prisons by politicians to be used in election work, this time they are keeping a marked distance.