Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur will be held between February 4 and March 8, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi announced on Wednesday. While Uttar Pradesh will see a seven-phase polling, elections in Manipur will be held in two phases and the remaining three states will go to single phase polls. The results from all the fives states will be declared on March 11.
GOA
Number of seats: 40
Election date: February 4
Number of voters: 1085271
Number of polling stations: 1642
Date of notification: January 11
Last date of making nomination: January 18
Last date for withdrawal of candidature: January 21
PUNJAB
Number of seats: 117
Election date: February 4
Number of voters: 19214236
Number of polling stations: 22600
Date of notification: January 11
Last date of making nomination: January 18
Last date for withdrawal of candidature: January 21
UTTARAKHAND
Number of seats: 70
Election date: February 15
Number of voters: 7381000
Number of polling stations: 10854
Date of notification: January 20
Last date of making nomination: January 27
Last date for withdrawal of candidature: January 30
MANIPUR
Number of seats: 60
Election date: March 4, 8 (two phases)
Number of voters: 1807843
Number of polling stations: 2794
Date of notification: February 8 (Phase 1), February 11 (Phase2)
Last date of making nomination: February 15 (Phase 1), February 18 (Phase2)
Last date for withdrawal of candidature: February 18 (Phase 1), February 22 (Phase2)
UTTAR PRADESH
Number of seats: 403
Election date: February 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, March 4, 8 (seven phases)
Number of voters: 13,85,17,026
Number of polling stations: 147148
Date of notification: January 17(Phase 1), January 20 (Phase 2), January 24(Phase 3), January 30 (Phase 4), February 2 (Phase 5), February 8 (Phase 6), February 11 (Phase 7)
Last date of making nomination: January 24(Phase 1), January 27 (Phase 2), January 31(Phase 3), February 6 (Phase 4), February 9 (Phase 5), February 15 (Phase 6), February 18 (Phase 7)
Last date for withdrawal of candidature: January 27(Phase 1), January 30 (Phase 2), February 4(Phase 3), February 9 (Phase 4), February 13 (Phase 5), February 18 (Phase 6), February 22 (Phase 7)
Other highlights
Cash expenses limit: The Election Commission set the campaign expenses limit per candidate at between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 28 lakh in the five states where assembly polls will be held laster this year. Announcing the limit, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi said: "In Goa and Manipur the limit on election expenses per candidate is Rs 20 lakh." "In Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand the election expenses limit per candidate is Rs 28 lakh," the CEC said.
Colourful voter guide: For the first time, the Election Commission will roll out a colourful voter guide. "Colourful voter guide with photo voter's slip to be introduced for the first time," Nasim Zaidi told the media.
Posters in booths: Zaidi announced putting up of four posters at each polling station, informing the voters of locations of booths, and other Dos and Don'ts. The posters were a statutory requirement at all polling stations, he said. A voting assistance booth would also be kept at the polling stations.
Hight of voting compartment: The height of the voting compartment will be raised to 30 inches this time. This was done to conceal the upper part of the body of the voters, the movement of which might giveaway the button they were pressing. "This measure is being taken to maintain secrecy," Zaidi said.
Votes of jawans: The defence personnel posted away from their homes can cast their votes through one-way electronic transmission in the upcoming state polls. "We have decided to allow the defence personnel and central para-military forces personnel to cast their votes through one-way electronic transmission system," Nasim Zaidi said. He also said that the EC had first experimented the initiative in Puducherry in August 2016.
SC ruling on caste, religion: The Election Commission said that it will implement the Supreme Court ruling that seeking votes in the name of caste, creed, religion, community and language is illegal. "EC is committed to abide by the apex court order. The order of the Supreme Court will be implemented effectively," Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said while answering questions on the January 2 ruling.
(With inputs from agencies)
