Panchayat elections in Bihar to begin on May 2

Elections to different panchayat bodies in Bihar will be held in eight phases between May 2 and 20. The counting of votes will take place on May 24. Panchayat polls in the state were last held in the year 2000—after a gap of 23 years. The election will be held on an a political basis to elect more than 125,000 Panchayat representatives.

Election this time holds importance with the Nitish Kumar government for the first time reserving 50 per cent of the seats for women and 20 per cent for the EBCs.

Bhagalpur riots: Chief Justice of Patna High Court today appointed Justice (retd) N N Singh as the chairman of the judicial commission set up to re-investigate the Bhagalpur riot cases of 189-90. The commission has been asked to submit its report in six months. It can also come up with an interim report.