Five-phase panchayat polls from Feb 11

As per the notification issued by the State Election Commission (SEC), elections would be held for the posts of ward member, sarpanch, samiti member, zilla parishad member for the concerned rural bodies. The model code of conduct which came into force from today would remain in operation till February 19, State Election Commissioner Ajit Tripathy said.

Filing of nominations by the aspirants would be held from January 7 to 12, except holiday, while scrutiny of papers is scheduled to be undertaken on January 13, he said adding withdrawal of candidature and publication of final list of contestants would take place on January 18.

Polling would be held in five phases on February 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19, while results of sarpanch and ward member would be declared on February 21. Similarly, February 24 has been fixed for announcement of names of elected sarpanches and ward members, the notification said.