Patna, Sep 6 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Monday welcomed the announcement of staggered polls for the 243-member assembly and hoped that adequate security forces would be available to ensure its smooth run.

'The long period of polls will be justified if central forces are present in adequate numbers at all the booths. We welcome the announcement,' Nitish Kumar told reporters here after the Election Commission announced a six-phase Oct 21-Nov 20 election.

Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi said in New Delhi that the dates of polling would be Oct 21 (47 seats), Oct 24 (45) and Oct 28 (48) as well as Nov 1 (42), Nov 9 (35) and Nov 20 (26 seats).

The counting will be held Nov 24. About 55 million people will be eligible to vote. The total electorate in the state was put at over 55 million.