Election Commission announces Assembly Election in 5 States

The Election Commission of India have announced Assembly Elections dates for Kerala, West Bengal, Tamilnadu, Assam, and Puduchchery.

Election Bound States:

• The polls will be held between April 4 and May 16, the counting of votes in all five states and one Union Territory will be done on May 19.
• Chief Election commissioner Nazim Zaidi announced the Poll dates in New Delhi. 824 assembly constituencies going to polls in these states and UT.

The Highlights of Polls in 5 States:

• 17 crore voters will cast their votes (West Bengal -6.55 crore, Tamilnadu-5.80, Assam-1.98 crore, Kerala-2.56 crore and in Puducherry – 9.27 lakhs) and Model code of conduct comes into effect immediately.
• Centre observers will monitor Voters list issued by Election Commission of India.
• Women Polling stations will be placed in these states.
• This is the first time that a dedicated symbol for NOTA has been provided in all the five states the Symbol is designed by National Institute of design.
• The voters list plays an anger role in casting vote, possession of Voter ID card is not enough.
• Ramps will be made at all the Polling Booths for the easy access for Persons with Disabilities.
• 7 lakh dead and duplicate entries have been removed.
• Para military forces will be deployed for the enhanced security for poll bound states.
• Electronic Voting Machines to be used in all these states also these machines hold the photograph of all candidates.
• Every District will have five central observers, all the flying Squads and Mobile teams to have GPS for better monitoring.
• The voting in Tamilnadu, Kerala and Puducherry will be held in single Phase on May 16 whereas in Assam to have 2 Phases and in West Bengal to be held in 6 Phases to be held between April 4 and May 5.

Election Commission of India:

Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional body responsible for election process to Lok Shaba, Rajya Shaba and State legislatures.

• Formed: 1950
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Head: Nazim Zaidi (Chief Election Commissioner)