First phase of assembly poll in Jharkhand rescheduled

The Election Commission today rescheduled the first phase of assembly polls in Jharkhand which would now be held on November 25.

As per the earlier schedule, the poll was to be held on November 27.
      
A decision to this effect was taken by the EC following representations from various political parties that voters from Muslim community would not be able to take part in the elections in view of Bakri-Id on November 28 and Friday prayers on the polling day on November 27.

After due consideration, elections for 30 assembly constituencies going to polls in the first phase would be held on November 25 instead of November 27, the EC said in a press note. Polling would be held in these constituencies between 7
AM and 3 PM.

However, the schedule for the remaining four phases would remain unchanged, it said.
    
Political parties had also demanded that the fifth phase of polls on December 18 should also be rescheduled in view of Friday prayers.

Notification for the first phase would be issued on October 31. Last date for filing nominations would be on November 7 and the scrutiny on November nine. Last date for withdrawal of nominations would be on November 11.
    
The EC had announced five-phased polls on October 23. Polling would be held on November 25, December 2, 8, 12 and 18.

The counting of votes would take place on December 23.