The Election Commission today announced the dates for the assembly elections in five states- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa. Uttar Pradesh, the biggest state in the country, will go to polls in seven phases on 11th February, 15th February, 19th February, 23rd February, 27th February, 4th March and on 8th March.
Our Correspondent
The Election Commission (EC) today announced the schedule for the upcoming Assembly elections in five states. The states going to polls are Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa.
Announcing the date at a press conference Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said Goa will go to poll in single phase on February 04, 2017, in Punjab on February 4th 2017, in Uttakhand on February 15 2017, Manipur will go to polls in two phase 1st phase will be on March 4 and 2nd phase will be on March 8. In Uttar Pradesh elections will be held in 7 phases first phase will be on February 11; 2nd on February 15; 3rd on February 19; 4th on 23rd February, 5th on 27 February; 6th phase will be on March 4 . The 7th and last phase will be on March 8.
Counting for all states poll will be done on March 11.
Manipur will go to polls for 60 seats in two phases on 4th and 8th March. There will be single phase elections in Uttarakhand, Goa and Punjab. Goa and Punjab will go to polls on February 4th while polling in Uttarakhand for 70 seats will be held on 15th February. Counting of votes for all five states will take place on 11th March. Announcing the poll dates Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said, over 16 crore voters are eligible to vote in the five states. With the Election Commission announcement the Model code of conduct has come into effect from today.
Replying to a question, Mr Zaidi said, Commission is examining representation of some political parties on presentation of Union Budget during poll process. He said, the Commission will take a view soon. On Supreme Court’s decision on Hindutva case, Mr Zaidi said, EC is committed to abide by the apex court’s order and it will be implemented effectively. Replying to another question, he said, any query on freezing of Samajwadi Party poll symbol is hypothetical right now and the documents have to be examined first.
The terms of the legislative assembly of Goa, Manipur and Punjab will expire on 18th March, and Uttarakhand on 26th March. The legislative term of Uttar Pradesh Assembly ends on 27th May. EC had held a meeting with Chief Electoral Officers of the five States yesterday to fine tune the arrangements.
Assessment of law and order situation, deployment of polling personnel, electronic voting machines and implementation of the model code of conduct were among the issues that came up during the meeting in New Delhi. Besides, the law and order situation in Manipur due to the road blockade by some Naga groups was also discussed.