Patna,(BiharTimes): The parliamentary elections in Bihar would be spread over six phases, beginning on April 10 and would conclude on May 12. Polls would be held on April 17, April 24, April 30 and May 7. Over 6.21 crore voters would exercise their franchise at 59,807 polling booths.

Counting of the votes would take place on May 16.

According to chief electoral officer (CEO), Bihar, Ajay V Nayak, the state voters include 3,30,98,022 males and 2,90,08,544 females. The number of voters has increased by 30 lakh from 5.91 crore in 2009.

Six parliamentary seats would go to the polls on April 10 to be followed by seven each in the second, third, fourth and fifth phases besides remaining six in the sixth phase.

He said the by-elections to the two vacant Assembly seats of Sahebpur Kamal and Maharajganj would be held simultaneously with the parliamentary polls.

Sahebpur Kamal, an Assembly segment of the Begusarai parliamentary constituency, would have by-election on April 30, while Maharajganj Assembly seat in Maharajganj parliamentary constituency would go to polls on May 7.

The notification for the first phase (April 10) poll would be issued on March 13, with the last date for the filing of nomination papers being March 20. The scrutiny of the papers submitted would be done on March 21 and the last date of withdrawal of candidatures is March 24.

The corresponding notification dates for the second phase (April 17) of polling are March 19, March 26, March 27 and March 29.

The notification for the third phase of polls would be issued on March 29, with April 5 as the last date for the filing of nomination papers, followed by scrutiny on April 7 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature on April 9.

Elections for the fourth phase would be notified on April 2, the last date for the filing of nomination papers during this phase is April 9, followed by the scrutiny of papers on April 10 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidatures is April 12.

Polls for the fifth phase would be notified on April 12, with its last date for the filing of nomination papers on April 19, followed by their scrutiny on April 21 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature on April 23. The last phase of the poll would be notified on April 17, while the last date for the filing of nomination papers by candidates is April 24. The scrutiny of the papers submitted would be done on April 25, and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature will be April 28.