The Election Commission on Monday formally set the ball rolling for the six-phase Bihar Assembly elections, with Governor Devanand Konwar issuing the notification for phase-I scheduled for October 21.
Polling will be held in 47 constituencies spread over Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia, Katihar, Madhepura and Saharsa districts. Barring Simri Bakhtiarpur and Mahishi, where polling will be held between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., in all constituencies the process will begin at 7 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.
The last date for filing nominations is October 4, and the papers will be scrutinised the next day. The last date for withdrawals is October 7.
The remaining phases will be held on October 24 and 28 and November 1, 9 and 20. Of the total of 243 seats, 38 are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and two for the Scheduled Tribes.