New Delhi: Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur will be held between February 4 and March 8, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi announced on Wednesday. The results from all five states will be known on March 11, Zaidi told a press conference here.
While polling in Goa and Punjab will take place on February 4, Uttarakhand will vote on February 15 and Manipur in two phases on March 4 and 8. Uttar Pradesh, the country’s most populous state, will go to the polls in seven phases: February 11, 15, 19, 23 and 27 and March 4 and 8.
This will be the single biggest electoral exercise since the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and will involve a total of 690 constituencies, 403 of them in Uttar Pradesh alone. Goa has 40 seats, Punjab 117, Manipur 60 and Uttarakhand has 70 seats.
EC names ‘Dos and Don’ts’ for state polls
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi also announced a number of new measures for the upcoming assembly elections in five states. 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.
Taking note of complaints received by the Election Commission (EC) in previous elections, the CEC announced that the height of the voting compartment would also 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.
The five states going to polls this year were Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur.
Cash expenses limit per candidate in five states
The Election Commission of India on Wednesday 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.
