Political parties in poll-bound Bihar have urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct assembly elections immediately after the Chhath festival, citing the period as the best time to ensure higher voter turnout. On Saturday, representatives from six national and six state parties met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners S. S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi in Patna. The 243-member Bihar assembly’s current term ends on 22 November, making it necessary for the polls to be completed before then. According to sources, the first phase of voting is expected to take place towards the end of October, soon after the festival. Parties argued that the timing would allow migrant workers, who return home during Diwali and Chhath, to cast their votes, significantly improving participation.