Polling hours reduced in four Bihar seats due to naxal threat

The Election Commission today rescheduled polling hours in four Bihar Assembly elections in the constituencies of Hilsa, Belganj, Wazirganj and Atri due to naxal threat, official sources said.

"The Commission has accepted the recommendation of chief electoral officer (CEO) in Bihar for rescheduling the polling hour in these constituencies because of the naxal threat," the sources said.

Polling for Hilsa, Belaganj and Wazirganj Assembly constituencies would now be held between 7 am and 4 pm, while in the constituency of Atri, voting would take place between 7 am and 3 pm, it said.

Earlier, polling was scheduled from 7 am to 5 pm in all the constituencies, which along with 32 others, will go to polls in the fifth and penultimate phase of elections in Bihar on November 9.