New Delhi, Oct 9: On Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) disclosed the election timetable for the Assembly elections in five states, scheduled to take place from November 7 to November 30, with the counting of votes on December 3. The election process will conclude on December 5.
The states heading to the polls are Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh.
During a press conference held in New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stated, "For the 230-member Madhya Pradesh, polling is scheduled for November 17; for the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, polling will occur on November 23; for the 119-member Telangana Assembly, polling is set for November 30, and for the 40-member Mizoram, polling is scheduled on November 7."
He noted that polling for the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will be conducted in two phases.
"Telangana will have polls on both November 7 and November 17," the CEC mentioned.
The counting of votes for the five states will be conducted on December 3.
The CEC highlighted that these five states have a total of 679 Assembly constituencies, constituting about one-sixth of the total Legislative Assembly Constituencies (LACs) in the country, with approximately 16 crore electors, amounting to almost one-sixth of the total electors in the country.
Kumar mentioned that nearly 60 lakh first-time voters aged between 18-19 years will participate in the elections across the five states. He also noted that 15.39 lakh young voters are eligible to participate in the elections due to the amendment in qualifying dates.
"To inspire young voters, over 2,900 polling stations will be managed by youth," the CEC mentioned.
Kumar emphasized that elections in these five states hold a significant place as they precede the crucial Assembly elections before the National Elections in 2024.
"ECI will ensure free, fair, and inducement-free elections in these five states," the CEC stated.
He also mentioned that the Commission visited these five states and conducted comprehensive review meetings with CEO, SPNO, District and State Administration, and various central and state Enforcement Agencies. Representatives from political parties also shared their suggestions and feedback with the Commission.
"We have addressed almost all the state-specific issues raised by the political parties," Kumar stated.
Furthermore, Kumar noted that the electoral roll represents an inclusive mosaic, with approximately 8.24 crore male voters, 7.88 crore women voters, over 32,000 centenarian voters, and 17.35 lakhs PwD (Persons with Disabilities) voters. In Chhattisgarh and Mizoram, women voters surpass male voters, and in Telangana, they are equal," the CEC added.
For the upcoming Assembly Elections in 2023 across the five states, 1.77 lakh polling stations will be established in 679 Assembly constituencies. "Over one lakh polling stations will have webcasting facilities. The average elector per polling station is well below ECI norms of 1,500 electors per polling station in all five states," he said.
