5 states go to polls from Nov 11-Dec 4; Results Dec 8

The Election Commission on Friday announced the schedule for assembly elections in five states of Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram.

The poll schedule was finalised at a meeting of the Commission chaired by Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath and two Election Commissioners H S Brahma and Nasim Zaidi, where other top EC officials were also present.

Election Schedule:

Delhi
Date of issue of Gazette Notification: Nov 9
Last date of filing of nomination: Nov 16
Date of scrutiny of nomination: Nov 18
Last date of withdrawal of nomination: Nov 20
Date of polling: Dec 4 

Rajasthan
Date of issue of Gazette Notification: Nov 5
Last date of filing of nomination: Nov 12
Date of scrutiny of nomination: Nov 13
Last date of withdrawal of nomination: Nov 16
Date of polling: Dec 1 

Madhya Pradesh
Date of issue of Gazette Notification: Nov 1
Last date of filing of nomination: Nov 8
Date of scrutiny of nomination: Nov 9
Last date of withdrawal of nomination: Nov 11
Date of polling: Nov 25 

Chhattisgarh 

Date of issue of Gazette Notification: Oct 18
Last date of filing of nomination: Oct 25
Date of scrutiny of nomination: Oct 26
Last date of withdrawal of nomination: Oct 28
Date of polling: Nov 11

Second Phase

Date of issue of Gazette Notification: Oct 25
Last date of filing of nomination: Nov 1
Date of scrutiny of nomination: Nov 2
Last date of withdrawal of nomination: Nov 4
Date of polling: Nov 19

Mizoram

Date of issue of Gazette Notification: Nov 9
Last date of filing of nomination: Nov 16
Date of scrutiny of nomination: Nov 18
Last date of withdrawal of nomination: Nov 20
Date of polling: Dec 4 

Date of Counting: December 8

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The model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect in all five states.

The 'None Of The Above' option for negative voting will be provided in these elections, as desired by the Supreme Court.

A total of 1.3 lakh polling stations will be set up by the commission. Electronic Voting Machines will be used in all polling booths.

For the first time the ECI is deploying awareness observers to increase voters turnout in these states.

The commission will closely monitor the paid news round the clock

Chhattisgarh has to elect a new 90-member state assembly while Madhya Pradesh has to elect 230-member state assembly.

The tenure of the current Madhya Pradesh assembly ends on December 12; Mizoram on December 15; Delhi assembly on December 17; Rajasthan assembly on December 31 and Chhattisgarh on January 4 next year.

During the last assembly polls in 2008, elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Delhi were held in a single phase, while that of Chhattisgarh was held in two phases.

Sources said around 60,000 security forces would be deployed in the five states to ensure smooth and peaceful polling.