The race for the Bihar polls has begun with Governor Buta Singh notifying the first round in a staggered four-phased election.
The first round of polling will be held on October 18, and will cover 61 constituencies, including Patna, Buxar and Gaya.
The next three phases are scheduled to be held on October 26, November 13 and 19.
The counting of votes will take place on November 22.
The polling will be spread over a month because of major religious festivals and to ensure adequate security.
The beginning of the poll process comes amidst a Supreme Court hearing of a PIL filed by NDA MLAs, challenging the dissolution of the state assembly by the Governor in May.
If the court strikes down the assembly's dissolution, the poll process could be annulled by the Election Commission.
