Assembly Election Dates Announcement Updates: Congress, TMC question rationale of holding eight-phase polls in West Bengal

Assembly Election Dates Announcement LATEST Updates

Congress criticises eight phases for West Bengal polls 

Congress leaders took to social media to criticise Election Commission's move to hold elections in West Bengal in 8 phases. The party leaders also pointed out that the BJP was batting for implementation of simultaneous nationwide elections but on the other hand it was forcing Election Commission to draw up a difficult schedule for the Opposition-ruled state. 

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Last polls with CEC Sunil Arora at helm

The term of Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora is coming to an end and the state polls in four states and one Union territory will be the last polling exercise he oversees, according to reports. He took office on 2 December 2018. 

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West Bengal to vote in eight phases

West Bengal to have election in eight phases. Last time, elections were held in seven phases.

Phase 1 polling for 30 seats – 27 March

Phase 2 polling for 30 seats – 1 April

Phase 3 polling for 31 seats – 6 April

Phase 4 polling for 44 seats – 10 April 

Phase 5 polling for 45 seats – 17 April

Phase 6 polling for 43 seats – 22 April

Phase 7 polling for 36 seats – 26 April

Phase 8 Polling for 35 seats – 29 April

Assembly Election Dates Announcement LATEST Updates

Puducherry elections in single-phase on 6 April
 

Puducherry Assembly polls will be held in a single-phase on 6 April. Counting will be held on 2 May. Announcing the dates, CEC Sunil Arora said that the Puducherry political parties had specifically requested to hold elections on the same date as Tamil Nadu and Kerala

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Tamil Nadu, Kerala to vote in single phase on 6 April

Both poll-bound southern states will vote in a single phase on 6 April. The counting will be done on 2 may

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Assam polls to be held in 3 phases

Sunil Arora said that polls in Assam will be held in three phases. 

• Phase 1 polling for 37 seast on 27 March
• Phase 2 polling for 47 seats on 1 April
• Phase 3 polling for 40 seats on 6 April

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Each district to have webcasting on at least 50% booths

Sunil Arora said that each poll-bound district will have arrangements for webcasting of voting on at least 50 percent of the booths. . Some districts have achieved 100 percent coverage as well, he said. The Election Commission will also appoint General Observer for each State. There will also be an IPS Observer for every poll-bound State.

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Guidelines by EC for upcoming elections

Here are the guidelines to be followed for the upcoming elections:
- Door-to-door campaigning to be restricted to five persons including candidate.
- Roadshows allowed
- Separate norms for suspected Covid-19 patients.
- Polling officials to be vaccinated.

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Polling hour extended considering pandemic conditions

Election Commission has said that the voters will be allowed one extra hour to caste their votes to avoid crowds at the polling centres. The decision was also implemented in the previously held Bihar polls, keeping in view the coronavirus pandemic. 

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Deployment of CAPF in West Bengal no exception; forces deployed in all states

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora took exception to media reports suggesting Election Commission requested early deployment of central forces in West Bengal. 

He said that CAPF forces were dispatched for all poll-bound states on the same date. "I am not aware where this news came from," Arora said.  

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Poll exercise to cover over 18 lakh voters across 824 seats, says CEC

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said that the current poll exercise will entail 18.68 crore voters, around 2.7 lakh polling stations in 824 seats in four states and one Union Territory. The mammoth polling exercise will be held while adhering to all health ministry guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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CEC says RS polls were trial run, Bihar polls a litmus test

In the thick of the pandemic, ECI started test trials with elections to 18 seats to Rajya Sabha. After that, came the challenge of the Bihar elections, it was indeed a watershed moment for ECI. It proved to be a litmus test, CEC Sunil Arora said. 

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EC pays tribute to COVID warriors

Announcing one of the first major elections in a post-COVID world, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said that the year 2021 brings hope and solidarity. He also paid a tribute to the COVID warriors and people who did extraordinary work to help the country return to normalcy.  

"Our tributes to the Covid warriors, doctors, paramedics, nurses, researchers, scientists and all our officials on election duty who are located on the frontline"

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EC says Bihar state elections were a watershed moment

CEC Sunil Arora said that the Bihar Assembly Election was a watershed moment for the Election Commission as it was difficult conduct the massive democratic exercise among an electorate of over 7 crore people. 

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Election Commission begins press conference

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora on Friday said that the commission would ensure free, fair, inducement-free and COVID-19-safe elections. 

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Election Commission presser to start soon

The announcement of poll dates for Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry by Election Commission of India will be made shortly.

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Mamata Banerjee hikes minimum wages of labourers ahead of EC announcement

Barely an hour before the Election Commission releases the poll dates, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced a hike in minimum wages for daily wage labourers.

As per the new Urban Employment Scheme, an unskilled labourer in West Bengal will now be paid Rs 202 per day instead of Rs 144.

A semi-skilled worker, who was earlier paid Rs 172 will now get Rs 303 per day. A skilled worker, a new category introduced in the new policy, will be paid Rs 404 per day.

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When and where to watch EC press conference

After the poll schedule is announced by the Election Commission on Friday, the model code of conduct will immediately come into effect. 

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High stakes battle in West Bengal

West Bengal will see the most high stakes battle with two-time Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee facing a tough challenge from the BJP amid an exodus from her Trinamool Congress to the BJP and corruption investigations against her party leaders.

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President’s Rule in Puducherry notified

Puducherry on Thursday was placed under President's rule days after the Congress-led government collapsed following multiple resignations. The V Narayanasamy government lost its majority in the Assembly after six resignations.

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States, UT are due for elections in April-May

Election will be conducted for 294 constituencies in West Bengal, 234 seats in Tamil Nadu, 140 seats in Kerala, 126 seats in Assam and 30 seats in Puducherry.

According to sources, the elections in West Bengal may be held in seven-eight phases, while three-phase elections in Assam are likely. Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will see single phase polls, sources said, adding that in Kerala, the election may be held in one or two phases.

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Second Assembly election to be conducted amid COVID-19

The terms of legislative Assemblies of four states - Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal - are coming to an end in May or June this year.

The is the second Assembly election to be conducted amid COVID-19 pandemic. The Election Commission had successfully conducted Bihar Assembly elections in November last year.

Election Commission to announce dates for five states

The Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule of upcoming Assembly elections in five states at 4.30 pm on Friday.