Voting to be held in phases across states, with counting scheduled for May 4, as the Model Code of Conduct takes effect
Guwahati: The Election Commission of India on March 15 announced that Assam will go to the polls on April 9 in a single phase for Legislative Assembly elections. The poll panel also unveiled the election schedules for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The announcement formally set the stage for a major electoral contest across the country.
The poll dates were declared at a press conference held in the national capital on Sunday morning by the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
According to the poll schedule declared by the ECI, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry are to go to the polls on a single day on April 9. Tamil Nadu to vote on April 23rd, while West Bengal is to vote in two phases on April 23rd and 29th due to its size and sensitivity.
With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect immediately in all the poll-bound regions. The code prevents the government from announcing any new schemes, policies, or projects which may influence the voters.
“The elections are a massive democratic exercise, where over 170 million voters are likely to participate in the polls. More than two lakh polling stations will be set up in the states and the Union Territory, where the voting will have the facility of webcasting ” the officials reported.
Also Read: Congress Releases Second List of 23 Candidates for Assam Assembly Elections
