New Delhi, Oct 28: The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday, Oct 28, announced that assembly polls in Jharkhand will now be held on Nov 25 instead of earlier scheduled Nov 27.

A statement issued here said, "After due consideration, the commission has decided that the polls for the first phase of election to Jharkhand legislative assembly shall be taken on Nov 25, instead of Nov 27 as earlier communicated."

The decision to change the poll dates was taken after the poll panel was approached by the representative of various political parties as Nov 27 was an important date for both the Muslims and Hindus.

The statement said that the polls will be held from 7 am to 3 pm. "The schedule for election in the remaining four phases shall remain unchanged," it said.

Now the notification will be issued Oct 31, while the last date for making nominations will be Nov 7, the Election Commission said.

The scrutiny will be done on Nov 9 and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures will be Nov 11, it added.

Various Muslim organisations and political parties had threatened to boycott the first phase of Jharkhand's assembly elections Nov 27 as it fell on a Friday, a day before Eid, when mass prayers are offered.

OneIndia News