UPROAR IN ARA AS RJD SUPPORTERS PROTESTED PRESENCE OF PARTY OFFICE NEAR POLLING STATION

UPROAR IN ARA AS RJD SUPPORTERS PROTESTED PRESENCE OF PARTY OFFICE NEAR POLLING STATION

12-MAY-ENG 5

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------Bihar MLC By-election 2026: Reports indicate a major uproar in Arrah during the MLC by-election, as RJD supporters created a ruckus over the presence of a political party office in close proximity to a polling station.

The political temperature in Arrah soared during the Bihar Legislative Council by-election when a commotion erupted over the existence of a party office near a polling center. This altercation between the supporters of the RJD candidate and the administrative officials created a chaotic atmosphere for a brief period; however, due to the vigilance and prompt action of the police, the situation was quickly brought under control.

In the parlance of electoral regulations and law enforcement, this incident pertains to an alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Supporters of the RJD candidate, Sonu Kumar Rai, created a disturbance while accusing the presiding Magistrate of bias. They alleged that a political party's office was operating within a radius of just 10 meters from the polling station—a practice that stands in violation of the Election Commission's regulations regarding prohibited zones.

Despite the commotion, the voting process continued uninterrupted across a total of 25 polling centers in Bhojpur and Buxar. In this election, representatives of the three-tier Panchayat system and Ward Councilors serve as the 'voters' who are deciding the electoral fate of JDU's Kanhaiya Prasad and RJD's Sonu Kumar Rai. The administration has deployed additional police forces to prevent any untoward incidents.

Amidst the electoral fervor in Bihar, the administration has asserted that it remains fully vigilant regarding the ongoing Legislative Council by-election for the Bhojpur-cum-Buxar Local Authorities' Constituency. Across all 14 polling centers in Bhojpur district, this celebration of democracy is being conducted under a tight security cordon. The Election Commission and the local administration have dedicated their full resources and efforts to ensure the transparency of this by-election. In the parlance of law enforcement, Magistrates and heavy police contingents have been deployed at every nook and cranny to prevent any form of booth capturing or electoral malpractice. The district administration is maintaining a vigilant watch over sensitive polling stations through the use of CCTV surveillance and videography.

Mr. Tanay Sultania, the District Magistrate and District Election Officer of Bhojpur, is himself on 'alert mode.' He is continuously visiting various polling stations to ensure the strict and literal adherence to the Model Code of Conduct. The administration has issued clear directives that swift and stringent legal action be taken against any anti-social elements attempting to disrupt the polling process.

Considerable enthusiasm regarding this election is evident among representatives of local bodies. Queues of voters began forming at all 14 polling stations early in the morning. Law and order remains completely under control, and the administration has kept Quick Response Teams on standby to ensure that the voting process is conducted in an orderly and systematic environment.