EC reduces voting time in Bihar's naxal-hold areas

The Election Commission has decided to reduce voting time in nine assembly segments spread over four parliamentary constituencies in Bihar which will go to polls in the first phase on April 16, official sources said.

The Election Commission has decided to reduce voting time in nine assembly segments spread over four parliamentary constituencies in Bihar which will go to polls in the first phase on April 16, official sources said.

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A decision to this effect was taken keeping in mind the threat by the Naxalites in these areas.

"Voting in these assembly segments will start at 0700-hrs as is the case in other segments but it will conclude at 1500-hrs itself, two hours prior to the scheduled time of 1700-hrs", the sources said.

The assembly segments where polling time has been reduced are Chainpur and Chenari in Sasaram, Kutumba, Rafiganj and Imamganj segments in Gaya and Sikandra, Jhajha and Chakai in Jamui Lok Sabha constituency, they revealed.

Proscribed CPI (Maoist) has given a call for boycotting the polls in Bihar.