The Election Commission on Friday Afternoon announced the dates of four States including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. In the announcement Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said that Kerala, Tamilnadu and Puducherry will be going to polls on May 16.
The date of issue of poll notification for the two states and a Union Territory are, April 22, nomination on 29, Scrutiny on 30 of the same month. The last date of withdrawal will be on May 2 following which Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will got o polls on May 10.
The 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala, 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu and 40 in Puducherry will be conducted in a single phase.
Counting of polls will completed on May 19, Election Commission expects to complete the poll process by May 21.
In a first, Election Commission introduced a symbol for "None of the Above" (NOTA). Designed with the help of National Institute of Design the symbol will replace the existing 'NOTA' text, said Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi at the conference in Delhi.
Elections to be held in two phases for 120 constituencies in Assam on April 4 and 11.
West Bengal elections to held in six phases. Voting will be held on two days in the first phase alone, April 4 and 11. The remaining phases will go to elections on April 17, 21, 25, 30 and May 5.
A whooping 17 Crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise in 824 constituencies. Five constituencies' terms conclude in April and May. Model Code of Conduct came into force in the State with immediate effect..
Mr. Zaidi said, EC allows new voters to enroll themselves until 10 days from the last date of nomination. Emphasizing that the voters should check if their names are listed in the electoral rolls. mere photo ID card is not adequate, he added.
Key Points
Special polling station to be set up at leprosy treatment centres.
Photographs of candidates to be included with their name and the symbol on EVMs to eliminate confusion for voters.
Polling stations in West Bengal, Assam to be covered by Central police forces.
District to have five central observers to monitor action against criminal elements for peaceful conjduct of election.
All-women polling stations to be set up in five states.
EC asked officials linked to poll-work to declare whether any of their relatives are contesting in polls.