Dates declared for polls in 5 states; no decision on J&K

Five states- Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Mizoram- will go for assembly elections this year in the month of November and December. The Election Commission announced the dates for polls in five states in New Delhi on Tuesday, but was still undecided over Jammu and Kashmir.

The CEC said out of five states, Chhattisgarh will go for polls in two phases on November 14 and 20, while rest of the four states will have single-phase elections: Madhya Pradesh on November 25, Mizoram and Delhi on November 29, and Rajasthan on December 4.

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The counting of votes in all states will take place simultaneously on Dec 8.

In order to avoiding violation of code of conduct and keeping an eye on unwanted elements, the CEC said all political events in the five poll-bound states will be video graphed and 650 observers across the states will be deployed to check.

With the announcement of the dates of elections, the model code of conduct has come into effect in all the five states.

Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami said the commission is assessing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir whether the State can go for polls or not. There are many issues; it is difficult this time to say anything more, Gopalaswami told reporters, adding that he will inform if any decision is taken on Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir, which is under President’s rule since July 11, 2008 after PDP pulled out support from the Congress-PDP alliance, will have to have a new assembly by January 10. But, it will be difficult to hold elections there in December and January owing to severe cold climate.