India, Oct. 6 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) will announce the schedule for the Bihar assembly elections at 4 pm today, even as the poll body faces one of the most intense credibility tests in its history. In the months since chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar took charge, the commission has been accused by opposition parties of large-scale voter deletions, curbing data access, withholding CCTV footage, and evading questions on the integrity of electronic voting machines (EVMs). Each of these allegations has drawn a combative defence from the EC, which insists that its processes remain transparent, lawful, and politically neutral.

This will be the first major electoral exercise since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections a...