The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced the election schedule to five States - Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
Polling would be held in two phases in Chhattisgarh and in single phase in the other States, said Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat at a press conference in New Delhi. All the results will be out on December 11.
Here are the updates:
Madhya Pradesh
Polling in single phase in 230 constituencies
Date of filing of nominations: November 7
Last date for withdrawal of nominations: November 14
Polling day: November 28
Chhattisgarh
First phase Southern Part - 18 constituencies (LWE-affected areas)
Date of filing of nominations: October 16
Last date for withdrawal of nominations: October 23
Last date for withdrawal of nominations: October 26
Polling day: November 12
Second phase -72 constituencies
Polling date: November 20
Rajasthan and Telangana
Polling in single phase
Date of filing of nominations: November 12
Last date for withdrawal of nominations: November 22
Polling day: December 7
Mizoram
Date of filing of nominations: November 7
Last date for withdrawal of nominations: November 14
Polling day: November 28
Mr. Rawat begins the press conference.
"The change of time of the press conference was shifted to 3 pm due to several issues. It included the issue of publishing the electoral roll in one of the States. Case pending with High Court on electoral roll, final list had to be shown to the court before publishing."
The Telangana publication of electoral rolls would be on October 12. At least one all-women polling booth in every constituency.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Ajmer to kick off the BJP's election campaign in Rajasthan.
This is the first political rally of the Prime Minister in the State.
Tight security arrangements have been made for the rally, which is estimated to be attended by nearly three lakh people.
Delay due to Modi's speech, alleges Congress
The Congress has alleged that the ECI has delayed its scheduled press conference on account of Mr. Modi’s speech at the Ajmer rally.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, “The Commission was supposed to hold a press conference at 12.30 pm to announce polls in four states. But, it was postponed to 3 pm.”
The apparent reason could be to facilitate “Modi to deliver his speech at a rally at 1 pm in Rajasthan”, he said at the India Today East Conclave.
Mr. Surjewala said the people were under attack by their own government and the economy was in doldrums with the rupee sliding everyday.
On who will be the prime minister after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he said “the people will decide”.
“But, it will be a people’s government and not be at war with the people,” he added.
The Election Commission's scheduled press conference at 12.30 pm has been pushed to 3 pm.
Has election come at a wrong time for farmers?
Though the farming community constitutes the main focus of political parties in Adilabad district, the campaign meetings of leaders in rural areas are not as large in attendance as desired, at least at this juncture. It is gradually becoming apparent that the start of harvesting of crops which will reach its peak in November-December when election to Telangana Assembly is expected to be held, will not suit the farmers’ routine.
PM, Shah to launch BJP’s Rajasthan poll campaign
With the two-month “Gaurav Yatra” of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje concluding in Ajmer on Saturday, the ruling BJP is set to launch its election campaign shortly, even before the announcement of the dates of the Assembly polls.
The Prime Minister, accompanied by BJP president Amit Shah, will address a meeting on the occasion.
The BJP election management committee has proposed a schedule of rallies in seven districts, mainly covering the areas where the party is perceived to be weak.
No ties with Congress in M.P., Rajasthan: Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati announced on Wednesday that her party will be contesting the Assembly polls in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh either on its own or with a regional party in those States, but not with the Congress.
The move has placed an obstacle in the path of a joint Opposition fight against the BJP not just in the Assembly polls but also ahead of next year Lok Sabha election.
(With inputs from PTI )
