Six-phase elections in West Bengal and two-phase polls in Assam. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry to go to polls on May 16. Counting of polls will be held on May 19.
The Election Commission on Friday announced the polling dates in four States and Union Territory of Puducherry.
Elections will be held in two phases for 120 constituencies in Assam, viz., April 4 and 11.
In West Bengal, elections will be held in six phases. The first phase polls will be held on April 4 and 11. Polling in the remaining phases will be conducted on April 17, 21, 25, 30 and May 5.
Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will go to polls on May 16.
Counting of votes will be held on May 19.
The Election Commission expects to complete the poll process by May 21.
Over 17-crore voters will exercise their franchise in 824 constituencies.
The terms of the five Assemblies are ending in April and May.
Model Code of Conduct takes immediate effect.
Symbol for NOTA
For the first time, the Election Commission has introduced a symbol for "None of the Above" (NOTA) option. The symbol was designed with the help of the National Institute of Design, said Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi at a press conference in New Delhi.
Enrolling of voters and verification of electoral rolls
The Commission has allowed new voters to enroll themselves until 10 days from the last date of nomination. Emphasizing that the voters should check if their names are listed in the electoral rolls, Mr. Zaidi said, "mere photo ID card is not adequate."
Many firsts
For the first time, the Election Commission will be setting up special polling stations at leprosy treatment centres.
The photographs of all candidates will be included along with their name and the symbol on the EVMs. This has been done to eliminate confusion for voters, Mr Zaidi said.
All polling stations in West Bengal and Assam will be covered by Central police forces.
Every district will have five central observers to monitor action against criminal elements for peaceful election.
All-women polling stations will be set up in the four States and Puducherry.
The Election Commission has asked officials linked to poll work to declare whether any of their relatives are contesting in the polls.
The poll schedule is as follows.
Assam
Number of constituencies: 126
Number of phases: 2 (65, 61)
Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: March 11, 14
Last Date for Nominations: March 18, 21
Date for Scrutiny of Nominations: March 19, 22
Last date for withdrawal of candidatures: March 21, 26
Date of polling: April 4, 11
West Bengal
Number of constituencies: 294
Number of phases: 6* (18, 56, 62, 49, 53, 56 )
Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: March 11&14, 22, 28, April 1, 4, 7
Last Date for Nominations: March 18&21, 29, April 4, 8, 11
Date for Scrutiny of Nominations: March 19&22, 30, April 5, 9, 19
Last date for withdrawal of candidatures: March 21&26, April 1, 7, 11, 21
Date of poll: April 4&11, 17, 21, 25, 30, May 5
*First phase will be held on two days.
Kerala
Number of constituencies: 140
Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: April 22
Last Date for Nominations: April 29
Date for Scrutiny of Nominations: April 30
Last date for withdrawal of candidatures: May 2
Date of polling: May 16
Tamil Nadu
Number of constituencies: 234
Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: April 22
Last Date for Nominations: April 29
Date for Scrutiny of Nominations: April 30
Last date for withdrawal of candidatures: May 2
Date of polling: May 16
Puducherry
Number of constituencies: 30
Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: April 22
Last Date for Nominations: April 29
Date for Scrutiny of Nominations: April 30
Last date for withdrawal of candidatures: May 2
Date of polling: May 16
Counting of votes on May 18.
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