UP seven phase polls from Feb 10: Punjab, U'khand, Goa vote on Feb 14 : Manipur Feb 27, March 3

Uttar Pradesh to go to poll in 7 phases from 10th Feb to 7th March; Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa to vote on 14th February & Manipur to vote on 27th Feb & 3 March; Counting of votes on 10th March: ECI

For Manipur, elections will be held on Feb 27 in
Imphal, Bishnupur, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Pherzawal.

On March 3, voting will take place in Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel, Tengnoupal, Kakching, Kamjong, Jiribam, and Noney.

UP seven phase polls from Feb 10: Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa vote on Feb 14 

New Delhi

Election dates and related schedules for electing the respective state legislatures in Uttar Pradesh and four other states including Punjab were announced on Saturday.

In Uttar Pradesh, the polling will be held in seven phases beginning February 10,
Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra announced at a media conference here.

Uttar Pradesh will go to polls in 7 phases from 10th Feb to 7th March.

The two northern states Punjab and Uttarakhand and Goa to vote on 14th February.

In the northeast, Manipur will go for voting on 27th Feb and March 3. 

The counting of votes for all the five states will be on March 10th, he said. 

The announcement by CEC specially about Punjab brings an end to speculation being made

in certain quarters that security breach to PM's convoy on Jan 5 could lead to postponement of

polls in the border state.

There was a major rider in the announcement by the CEC that no roadshows, padyatras, cycle or bike rallies 

and processions shall be allowed till 15th January.

The CEC said, sufficient central para military forces will be deployed in all poll-bound states to handle 

law and order situation and threat perceptions. 

This has been done in view of the surging Covid19 and Omicron numbers.

"...the situation to be reviewed and fresh instructions to be issued later," he said. 

 Senior citizens above 80 years of age, persons with disabilities and COVID19 patients can vote by postal 

ballot, Mr Chandra said. 

Senior citizens above 80 years of age, persons with disabilities & COVID19 patients can vote by postal ballot: CEC Sushil Chandra on 5 States polls

Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into effect immediately from announcement of the schedules. Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for ensuring the effective implementation of the MCC guidelines. Any violation of these guidelines will be strictly dealt with: CEC

It is mandatory for political parties to upload on their website detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases selected as poll candidates. They will also have to give a reason to select the candidate: CEC Sushil Chandra

All election officials and employees will be considered as frontline workers and all eligible officers will be vaccinated with 'precautionary dose': CEC Sushil Chandra 

No roadshows, padyatras, cycle or bike rallies and processions shall be allowed till 15th January; situation to be reviewed and fresh instructions to be issued later: CEC Sushil Chandra