(1) The time during which poll should be taken shall be mentioned in the election programme. The time of poll should not be earlier than 8.00 a.m. and later than 5.00 p.m.
(2) Wherever it is necessary to fix the time, date and place for any stage in the election programme, it shall be fixed by the Returning Officer and shall be mentioned in the election programme declared by him.
(3) If, due to any unavoidable circumstances and in the public interest, it has become imminent to modify the programme and there is no sufficient time for obtaining the previous approval of the Assistant Election Officer, or the Chief Election Officer, as the case may be, to such modifications, the Returning Officer may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, modify the programme. In every such case, the Returning Officer shall forthwith send a copy of the modified election programme alongwith the reasons recorded by him for such modification to the Chief Election Officer or the Assistant Election Officer, as the case may be.