The Election Commission on Wednesday announced the Assembly poll schedule for Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.
In Himachal, election will be held on November 4 and in Gujarat on December 13 and 17. Counting of votes in both the States will be taken up on December 20.
The model code of conduct comes into force with immediate effect in both the States and will be applicable to the State/Central governments and political parties/candidates.
The 68-member Himachal Assembly’s term ends on January 10 and that of Gujarat on January 17. Both the States are ruled by the BJP.
Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath, accompanied by Election Commissioners H.S. Brahma and S.N.A. Zaidi, told journalists that for Himachal, notification would be issued on October 10 and the last date for filing of nominations is October 17. The papers would be scrutinised on October 18 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 20.
For the first phase of Gujarat polls (December 13) that covers 87 constituencies, notification would be issued on November 17 and the last date for filing of nominations is November 24. The nominations would be scrutinised on November 26 and the last date for their withdrawal is November 28.
For the second phase (in 95 seats), notification would be issued on November 23. November 30 would be the last date for filing of nominations. On December 1 the papers would be scrutinised and the last date for their withdrawal is December 3.
In Himachal , where there are 45,16,054 voters, a total of 7,252 polling stations would be set up, and in Gujarat, for the 3,78,15,306 electors, 44,496 booths would be set up, Mr. Sampath said.
On photo electoral rolls, he said that in Himachal cent per cent was achieved and in Gujarat, it was 99.18 per cent.
Sources in the Commission said election in Himachal was advanced as it wanted to complete it well before the onset of snowfall in the State.
In 2007, Himachal polls were held in two phases — on November 14 (in Kinnaur, Bharmour and Lahual-Spiti constituencies) and on December 19, 2007.
In Gujarat, during the 2007 polls, the first phase was held on December 11 and the second on December 16.
