The model code of conduct has been put in place with immediate effect, Election Commissioner OP Rawat said.
Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat addresses a press conference in New Delhi. (Photo: IANS)
The Election Commission of India on Saturday announced the dates for upcoming assembly polls in five states — Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana.
Simultaneous elections will be held in these five states before December 15 this year.
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Phase 1 voting for state assembly election in Chhattisgarh will take place on November 12, and voting for phase 2 will be conducted on November 20.
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Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram assembly elections will be held on November 28.
Rajasthan and Telangana assembly elections will be held on December 7.
Counting of votes for all the states will be done on December 11, EC informed.
Chhattisgarh Assembly term expires on January 5, 2019, Madhya Pradesh Assembly on January 7, 2019, Rajasthan Assembly on January 20, 2019 and Mizoram Assembly on December 15, 2018.
Telangana was scheduled to vote mid-2019 but Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao dissolved the Assembly last month, necessitating immediate elections.
The model code of conduct has been put in place with immediate effect, Election Commissioner OP Rawat said.
In a press conference convened by the EC, the poll body informed about the setting up of voters’ assistance booths. Women polling stations with women security personnel will also be set up.
A voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT), which allows voters to ascertain that their vote has gone to the intended candidate, will be used in the five elections.
Mock polls will be conducted in every polling station before the start of polls.
By-polls in Shimoga, Bellary and Mandya in Karnataka will be held on November 3, CEC O P Rawat informed.
Sources in the commission had earlier said that the entire election exercise will be completed by the first week of December.
Earlier today, the Congress questioned the independence of the Election Commission (EC) after it changed the timing of the press conference to announce the schedule of Assembly polls in five states saying it was done to accommodate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was to address an election rally in Ajmer in the poll-bound Rajasthan.
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