Election 2022 Full Schedule HIGHLIGHTS | Polling In 7 Phases From Feb 10, Counting Of Votes On March 10
Election 2022 Full Schedule HIGHLIGHTS: The Election Commission of India has announced the dates for Assembly elections for five states- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur, and Goa.
PM Modi already held various political rallies. He's been touring for the past month and has visited UP CM Yogi more than 10-15 times. There's nothing for the ruling party. Only financially weaker parties will face problems. Ruling party is comfortable: Mallikarjun Kharge, LoP in RS on Election Commission's Covid curbs.
EVM is no issue now. It is in existence since 2004 and more than 350 crore voters have used this machine. You should feel proud on EVM that this country has developed this machine which gives very accurate results, an accurate system, and a faster counting: CEC Sushil Chandra
People in Uttar Pradesh are set to bid farewell to the BJP government. These dates will mark a huge change in the state. Rules will be followed by Samajwadi Party, but the Election Commission should make sure the ruling party follows these guidelines: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav told news agency ANI.
Uttar Pradesh to go to poll in 7 phases from Feb 10 to March 7
Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa to vote on February 14
Manipur to vote on February 27 and March 3;
Counting of votes on March 10
Election Commission of India has announced polling dates for all 5 poll-bound states.
No physical rally of political parties or probably candidates or any other group related to elections shall be allowed till January 15.
ECI should subsequently review the situation and issues further instructions accordingly, CEC Sushil Chandra said.
No roadshows, padyatras, cycle or bike rallies and processions shall be allowed till January15. The situation is to be reviewed and fresh instructions to be issued later.
Model code of conduct comes into immediate effect in 5 states, the Election Commission said.
All officers on election duty will be duly vaccinated. All eligible workers will be treated as frontline workers and will be eligible for precautionary dose: Election Commission
It is mandatory for political parties to upload on their website detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases selected as poll candidates. They will also have to give a reason to select the candidate: CEC Sushil Chandra
Senior citizens above 80 years of age, persons with disabilities & COVID19 patients can vote by postal ballot. EVMs and VVPATs will be utilized in all the polling stations. Election Commission has already made arrangments to ensure an adequate number of EVMs and VVPATs for the smooth conduct of elections: CEC Sushil Chandra in Delhi
A total of 18.34 crore electors including service voters will take part in this election out of which 8.55 crore are women electors. 24.9 lakh first-time electors are registered in the 5 states including Uttar Pradesh: CEC Sushil Chandra on 5 States polls
All polling booths to have less than 1,000 voters for smooth polling. One booth will be in each constituency to be totally guarded by women staff and security members: CEC Sushil Chandra
A total of 18.34 crore electors including service voters will take part in this election out of which 8.55 crore are women electors: CEC Sushil Chandra on 5 States polls
Elections to be held for 403 assembly seats in UP, 117 in Punjab, 70 in Uttarakhand 60 in Manipur and 40 in Goa: CEC Sushil Chandra
As COVID cases soared in view of Omicron variant, ECI held meetings with Union Health Secretary & Home Secretary, experts, & health secretaries of States. After taking these views & ground situation, ECI decided to announce polls with safety norms in place: CEC Sushil Chandra
"For the past two years, Covid has made conducting elections challenging. 690 assembly constituencies to go for polls. All polling stations will be located on the ground floor for easy accessibility," Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said in his opening remarks.
A look at dates of expiry of assemblies in five poll-bound states:
Goa: March 15, 2022; Manipur: March 19, 2022; Uttarakhand: March 23, 2022; Punjab: March 23, 2022; Uttar Pradesh: May 14, 2022
Elections to be held keeping in mind 3 points:
1. Covid-safe elections keeping in mind the surge in daily Coronavirus caseload.
2. Hassle-free polling process for voters.
3. Maximum Voter Participation
Election Commission team reaches Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan to announce polling dates for Assembly elections in five states.
The political parties requested for a strict vigil on election expenses by the candidates to ensure free and fair polling. While expressing concerns about pre-poll violence, the political parties demanded deployment of adequate security forces during the poll process along with other relevant measures.
For the first time, Election Commission will provide the option of postal ballot during the upcoming Assembly elections to 80+ citizens, persons with disabilities and Covid suspects or affected persons.
"The postal ballot facility is an optional facility and ensures total secrecy of voting. Representatives of candidates will be present during the process and the total procedure will be videographed. In the state, 14,565 persons with disabilities and over 41,867 80+ citizens have been mapped," EC had said.
Several political parties have already announced cancellation of political rallies and are focusing more on digital campaigns in the wake of the unabated surge of Covid-19 across the country fueled by Omicron variant.
Besides the poll schedule, Covid-19 protocols will also be announced amid the rising number of cases across India. Today's presser comes days after EC held a meeting with the Health Ministry to discuss the current Covid situation in the five states.
Ahead of assembly polls in the five states, the ECI announced on January 6 that the expenditure limit for candidates for Assembly constituencies has been increased from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 28 lakh, and Rs 28 lakh to Rs 40 lakh, depending on the size of the state. Accordingly, the enhanced amount of Rs 40 lakh would now apply in UP, Uttarakhand and Punjab, and Rs 28 lakh in Goa and Manipur, according to a notification by the law ministry.
Background
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India will be announcing dates for Assembly elections for five states — Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur, and Goa — at 3:30 pm today
The Election Commission recently concluded its poll preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections in the five states.
Keeping in view the increasing cases of Covid-19 cases in the country, the ECI had held a separate meeting with Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan discussing the Covid-19 situation and status of vaccination in all the poll-bound states.
A thorough review of the current infection status of the Covid-19 was done during hte meeting in consultation with AIIMS doctor Randeep Guleria and Indian Council of Medical Research chief Dr Balram Bhargava.
The apex poll body has asked to accelerate Covid vaccine coverage in these poll bound states.
Earlier in a press conference held by the ECI during its visit to UP, it had informed that all the political parties were of the opinion that the election be held as per schedule. The Allahabad High Court had asked the Election Commission and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to postpone the elections considering the surge in cases of Covid-19 in the country.
To ensure maximum safety during the elections, the Election Commission said that polling officials will be designated as frontline workers and they will be fully vaccinated.
The ECI may likely make the State Disaster Management Agency (SDMA) responsible for enforcing Covid appropriate behaviour and curbs.
Advisory for the political parties may also be issued by the ECI to seek self-restraint on their part during campaigning and to switch to virtual modes of campaigning as much as possible.
- - - - - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - - - - -