The election bugle has been sounded in five states including Uttar Pradesh (UP). Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa are the other four states going to the polls. The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the election dates for these states on January 9 and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into immediate effect. Counting of votes for all five states will take place on March 10, three days after the final phase of polling ends.
Voting to be held in 7 phases from Feb 10 to Mar 7 in UP
The politically significant state of Uttar Pradesh will vote in seven phases for 403 Assembly seats. The first round of elections will be held for 58 seats in 11 districts of western UP on February 10. The second to seventh rounds of polling in the state are scheduled for February 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3 and 7 respectively.
All 117 seats go to polls in Punjab in a single phase
According to ECI, all 117 seats will go to the polls in Punjab in a single phase on February 14. The results will be declared after counting on March 10. The tenure of the current Assembly in the state is scheduled to end on March 27.
Polls in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand will vote in a single phase this time. As per the ECI, elections will be held for all the seats of the state on February 14. The results will be declared on March 10. There are 70 seats in the Uttarakhand Assembly.
Manipur goes to polls on Feb 27 and Mar 3
Voting will be held in two phases for the 60 seats in the Manipur Assembly. The first round of polls will be held on February 27 and the second on March 3. March 10 has been scheduled as the date for results in this BJP-ruled state.
Elections in Goa on Feb 14
Elections will be held for the 40-seat Goa Assembly in a single phase on February 14 and the results declared on March 10. Goa is at present ruled by the BJP.