The Election Commission of India (ECI) on the 8th of January, Saturday, held a press conference and announced the schedule for the assembly elections in five Indian states.
The 2022 Assembly elections in Goa, Punjab, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are scheduled to be held in February-March. While Uttar Pradesh would go to polls in 7 phases from the 10th of February 10 to the 7th of March, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa will vote in a single phase on the 14th of February. Manipur, on the other hand, would vote in two phases on the 27th of February and the 3rd of March.
The counting of votes would be held on the 10th of March for all the five states.
In Uttar Pradesh, elections would be held for 403 assembly seats, 117 in Punjab, 70 in Uttarakhand, 60 in Manipur and 40 in Goa.
In addition, amid the Wuhan virus (COVID-19) surge, no roadshows, padyatras, cycle or bike rallies and processions shall be allowed till the 15th of January. After the 15th of January, the EC, would review the situation and fresh instructions would be issued later.
In addition, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect immediately from the announcement of the schedules, which is the 8th of January. Mr. Sushil Chandra, the Chief Election Commissioner said “It is mandatory for political parties to upload on their website detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases selected as poll candidates and as to why this particular candidate was selected.” He further said, “We aim to conduct Covid-safe elections in five states with maximum voter participation with extensive preparations. All polling stations will be equipped with Covid-mitigation facilities including sanitisers and masks; Also the number of booths have been increased.”
This is a developing story, more details awaited.
