EC ANNOUNCES ASSEMBLY POLLS...

Kerala polls: Left moves fast, Congress delayed by infighting

- 

The Election Commission on Friday announced the schedule for Assembly elections in five states, including West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

sembly constituencies. The first phase covering 152constituencies will take place on April 23, while the second phase covering 142 constitucies will be held on April 29. The notification for the first phase will be issued on March 30 and for the second phase on April 2. For the first phase in West Bengal, nominations can be filed until April 6, scrutiny will take place on April 7 and the last date for withdrawal is April 9, For the second phase, the last date for nominations is April 9, scrutiny will be held on April 10 and candidates can withdraw until April 13.

Counting of votes for all five statesand the Union Territory will take place on May 4, and the election process will be completed by May 6.

The five Assemblies together account for 824 constituencies, including general, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe seats, involving around 174 crore voters. According to the Election Commission, West

Bengal has 6,45,61,152 electors, including 6,44,52,609 general voters and 1,08,543 service voters. The state also has 5,23,229 young voters aged 18-19 years, 4,16,089 persons with disabilities, 1,152 third-gender electors and 3,78,979 senior citizens aged 85 and above.

Explaining the decision to hold the West Bengal elections in two phases instead of the eight phases used in 2021, CEC Kumar said the Commission held detailed deliberations before reducing the number of phases.

“With regards to the West Bengal elections tobe held in two phases instead of eight phases earlier, the Commission has held detailed deliberations and in its considered opinion, it was found necessary to reduce the number of phases and bring it down to an extent where it is convenient for everybody,” he said.