Bihar elections were toughest: CEC

Bihar elections were toughest: CEC - NDTV.com: "The Chief Election Commissioner BB Tandon has said that holding elections in Bihar was one of Election Commission's toughest challenges.

"To hold elections in a peaceful, free and fair manner in Bihar is a very difficult task. It was a challenge," said Tandon.

The Commission was "satisfied" with its performance and the "credit goes to the people of the state", he said.

Tandon’s comments come a day after legislative elections spread over a month concluded in the state.

He strongly defended the Election Commission's special observer KJ Rao who was criticised by the ruling United Progressive Alliance.

"The two-member team of special observers did a tremendous job. They covered all the state swiftly," he added.

"We did receive complaints against Rao but we did not find any substance in them. The feedback we have got is that he performed his duties in a fair manner," said Tandon. The counting of votes begin on Tuesday.

Tandon said foolproof security arrangements are being made and cameras would be deployed at the counting process.

To ensure fair polls, he said nearly 1.5 lakh non-bailable warrants were executed in the last three months, 2,200 arms and 10,000 ammunition were recovered ahead of the polls.

Defending the staggered four-phase elections, he said it was necessary for effective shuffling of security.

The people had voted without any intimidation and political parties and the media hailed this, Tandon added. (With PTI inputs)"