Saturday, February 26 2005 09:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna/Ranchi: Polling in Surajgarha Assembly seat in Bihar's Lakhisarai district and re-polling at 459 booths, in constituencies where voting had taken place on February 23, began this morning (Feb 26, 2005) amidst tight security.

Polling at Surajgarha was earlier scheduled to be held on February 15, during the second phase of Assembly polls, but the Election Commission (EC) postponed the date to February 26 after getting reports of irregularities in preparation of voters' identity card.

The EC had ordered re-polling at 459 booths at 81 out of 93 constituencies that had gone for polling in the third phase on February 23. The EC gave the order to conduct re-poll in those booths today after getting complaints of electoral malpractices on February 23.

Six booths of Raghopur Assembly constituency, from where Chief Minister Rabri Devi is contesting on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) ticket, are also among the booths where re-polling is being held.

Re-polling also began in twenty-seven booths spread across twelve constituencies in Jharkhand this morning. The repeat exercise is going on in four booths in Godda, three each in Madhupur, Sarath, Deogarh, Poreyahat, Mahagama and two booths each in Tundi and Gomia and one each in Dumka, Chandankiyari, Jharia and Bermo.

Re-polling was necessitated due to damages to the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and defective machines during the third and final phase polling held on February 23.