The Election Commission today announced the dates and phases of elections for 5 states – Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Goa. Voting will take place in a single phase in Punjab, Goa and Uttarakhand, while Manipur will have 2 phases of voting, and Uttar Pradesh will have 7 phases of voting. Counting of votes for all states will happen on March 11. Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi made the announcements.

Here are the announcements made by the Election Commission on assembly election dates and phases:

• Assemblies expiring on: Goa 18 March, Manipur 18 March, Punjab 18 March, Uttarakhand 26 March, and Uttar Pradesh 27 March.
• Number of constituencies: 619/690 – 133 reserved for Scheduled Castes, 23 for Scheduled Tribes.
• Millions of errors, multiple entries have been removed from the electoral rolls.
• Revised electoral rolls published on: Goa – January 5, Manipur – January 12, Punjab – January 5, Uttarakhand – January 10, and Uttar Pradesh – January 12.
• The Election Commission will distribute photo voters slip to all voters. These have been improved.
• Colourful voter guide will be distributed to all families. This will have details of polling stations, date and time of polling, ID docs that can be used, etc.
• 1.85 Lakh polling stations will be covered. This has increased by 15 per cent.
• There are over 16 crore voters in the 5 states.
• For secrecy, height of the voting compartment has been raised to 30 inches.
• Electronic Voter Machines or EVMs will be used in all states.
• As you know there is a symbol provided at bottom of EVM for ‘None Of The Above’ or NOTA.
• In certain constituencies there will be Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail or VVPAT.
• The number of constituencies with VVPAT will be increased.
• Election Commission is joining the rank of global leaders in the area of electronic transmission of votes. This is a historic (first) step.
• Electronic transmission of votes done keeping in mind defence personnel.
• Postal votes will be transmitted one-way in certain constituencies.
• Candidates will be required to file a no demand certificate.
• The rules have also been changed. Candidates will have to fix a photograph on nomination paper. They will have to declare that they are citizens of India, not sought foreign citizenship.
• The model code of conduct comes into immediate effect.
• The Election Commission is determined to ensure strict compliance.
• In the last 72 hours there are reports of malpractices, so new SOP has been introduced.
• The Election Commission is discouraging parties from using any environmentally hazardous materials for publicity. We also discourage the use of loudspeakers.
• We will conduct elections in free and fair manner.
• Arrangements have been made for adequate central police in addition to local police.
• The limit on expenses and expenditures are: Goa 20 lakh, Manipur 20 lakh, Punjab 28 lakh, Uttarakhand 28 lakh, and Uttar Pradesh 28 lakh.
• The Election Commission will ensure complete coordination of enforcement agencies.
• Among new measures, booth or kiosk set up by candidates will be included in candidate expenditure.
• Candidates will also be required to open accounts in banks.
• Expenses above Rs. 20,000 will be made out of this bank account, and made through cheque.
• Donations and loans greater than Rs. 20,000 will have to be done by way of cheque or draft.
• Political parties will need to file expenses within 30 days of election results, and final accounts within 75 days of results.
• Media is a friend of the Election Commission. We are proud of it. The commission will be swift in response to news.
• Election Commission encourages the use of social media.
• Some TV channels carry huge publicity for candidates. All expenses on TV will be included in expenses of candidates.
• The Election Commission will curb muscle power and abuse of money.
• In the past 2-3 days, Election Commission held hectic meetings with all stakeholders.
• Counting of votes for all states (all phases) on March 11, 2017.