Bihar Governor Buta Singh issued notification on Wednesday for the third phase of state assembly elections in 72 constituencies on November 13. With this, filing of nominations begins on Wednesday and ends on October 26.

Scrutiny will be held on October 27 and candidatures can be withdrawn till October 29.

The elections will be held in 72 constituencies of West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura, Kishanganj and Araria districts.

Meanwhile, a total of 554 candidates are left in the fray for the second phase of poll in 69 constituencies on October 26 whose fate would be decided by 1,43,61,799 voters. There are 42 women in the fray.

The highest number of 16 candidates have entered the fray in Kadwa, while the lowest, three, are in Alauli. While Rashtriya Janata Dal has put up candidates in 47 seats, its ally Congress has fielded its nominees in 15, Nationalist Congress Party (three) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (five).

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National Democratic Alliance allies Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party have set up candidates in 41 and 26 seats respectively. NDA allies are supporting independents at Matihani and Muzaffarpur.

Ramvilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party has fielded candidates in 58 places, leaving 11 for its ally Communist Party of India. 192 independents, too, are trying their luck.

The first phase of polling, which was conducted on Tuesday, was scheduled to be held in 61 constituencies. However, it was postponed in Gaya (Town), Gaya (Mufassil), Bodh Gaya and Belaganj to October 21 to ensure effective deployment of police in Gaya district.

Elections to the Bihar assembly are being held in four phases. The last phase of polling, covering 41 seats, will be on November 19. Counting of votes would be taken up on November 22.