Elections In 5 States Likely After Diwali, Results Could Be Out By December 15: Sources

Assembly polls 2023: ED is likely to conduct the elections in all five states between Diwali in November and the second week of December. The counting of the votes could take place before December 15.

Elections in Rajasthan, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana are likely to be held between Diwali and second week of December. (Representative image: EVMs in a strongroom)

Source : PTI

Assembly Elections 2023 Date: The Election Commission has prepared a plan for elections in 5 states, detailing the phases and dates for voting, sources told ABP News. According to people privy to the information, two phases of voting are likely in Chhattisgarh, while the Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, and Telangana polls could be conducted in a single phase.

The Election Commission's possible plan comes after its teams visited the five poll-bound states over the last few months to take stock of the preparedness.

The source told ABP News that the ED was planning to conduct the elections in all five states between Diwali in November and the second week of December. The counting of the votes could take place before December 15.

The plan is now awaiting the approval of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and the two Election Commissioners —  Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel. The decision will be taken after an observers' meeting on Friday. The day-long meeting, to be attended by the EC's police, general, and expenditure observers, is to finalise a strategy for ensuring the smooth conduct of the polling in five states.

The focus of the meeting will be to streamline strategies that will effectively implement the model code of poll conduct and prevent any unethical practice, like the use of monetary or muscle power, to maintain a level playing field. The Commission has already assessed the poll preparedness in Rajasthan, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, with its visit to Telangana concluding on Thursday.

The legislative assembly of Mizoram is scheduled to end its term on December 17 this year, with the Mizo National Front currently in power in the northeastern state.

Differing end dates in January next year mark the terms of the legislative assemblies of Telangana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. While the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) governs Telangana, the BJP rules Madhya Pradesh, and Congress holds power in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. The EC's proactive approach aims to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process in these upcoming assembly polls.