Earlier, the counting of votes was to be done on March 4 in all the states.

The rescheduling of the first phase of polls in Uttar Pradesh was done after representatives of political parties and officials during meetings with the Election Commission had pointed out that the date of "Barawafat" (Birthday of Prophet Mohammed) can fall on February 4.

Further, the law and order enforcing agencies provided to the Commission fresh inputs with respect to maintenance of law and order, availability and movement of security forces, logistics and other issues in various phases of conduct of elections, the Commission said in a press note tonight.

Based on updated assessment of ground situation by election machinery of the State and keeping in view also the overall poll schedule in five states, the Commission has now decided that the first phase of poll on February 4 would now be held on March 3, which will now be the last phase of poll.

The notification for the revised first phase of Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh will now be issued on January 12 for polling to be held on February 8.

The notification for the revised last phase of poll for 60 Assembly constituencies would now be issued on February 6 and the last date for making nominations will be February 13.

Scrutiny will be done on the next day and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is February 16.