The 10th and 12th class board examinations in Maharashtra have been rescheduled in view of Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in the state.

Official sources said four papers of the ongoing 12th class examination have been postponed, while the 10th class exam, which was to begin on March 8, will start on March 24.

The change has been effected in view of the March 11 elections to 27 Zilla Parishads and 310 Panchayat Samitis in the state, the sources said.

The 12th class exam papers slated for March 8, 9, 10 and 12 will now be held on March 14, 15, 16 and 17 respectively.

The 10th class exam papers scheduled for March 8, 9, 10 and 12 will now be held on March 24, 26, 28 and 29.

The change in schedule has come as a dampener for lakhs of 10th and 12th class students who were looking forward to enjoying next month's cricket world cup on television.

As per the earlier schedule, the 12th class exam was to be held from February 21 to March 16. The 10th class exam was to be held from March 8 to 23.

The 12th class information technology online exam, earlier scheduled for March 14, 15 and 16, would now be held on March 20, 21 and 22.

The State Election Commission had declared that there would be no postponement of the March 11 elections.

The SEC decision came in the wake of a petition filed before the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court, which sought postponement of the elections as the poll dates clashed with the board examinations.

The petitioners argued that the polls will have an adverse impact on the students appearing for their crucial exams of their academic careers.

Acting on the petition, the High Court directed the SEC and the Board to resolve the matter through mutual discussions.

The decision on rescheduling the board examinations was taken at a meeting between the State Election Commission and the State Education Department officials at Aurangabad, as directed by the High Court.

As per Constitutional provisions, the elections have to be held before March 20.

Also, most of the election staff for these polls is drawn from Education and Revenue departments, which also at times includes teachers and non-teaching staff.