Monday, September 19 2005 15:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: The Patna High Court today (Sept 19, 2005) dismissed a petition seeking direction to the Election Commission to adjust the Bihar Assembly poll dates in view of festivals like Ramzan, Dusshera and Diwali falling in between the month long four-phase poll starting October 18.

Disposing of the PIL, a division bench comprising Chief Justice J N Bhat and Justice Shashank Kumar Singh said: "We are not inclined to interfere in the matter."

The EC must have given due consideration to the timing of the religious festivals before announcing the four-phase poll on October 18, 26 and November 13 and 19, the judges said.

Petitioner Ajit Sharma had urged court to direct the Commission to make suitable adjustment in the polling dates in view of these festivals to ensure larger participation of voters in the elections.

The petitioner had further pleaded that the EC be directed to make the adjustments of the dates before issuance of notification for the polls on September 23.