UP may have seven-phase polling

The Election Commission has drawn up a tentative schedule for assembly polls in five states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand due early next year. But the commission will take a final call based on the inputs provided by security agencies and the state police. The calendar of examinations and local festivals are also a factor for deciding the schedule. Sources here said while the curial state of UP will witness a month-long exercise in seven phases beginning in February first week. Other states will go to polls on a single date between January 28 and 30.

On the sidelines of an international conference on voter education, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said the schedule will be finalised keeping in mind the weather and examination schedule. "We are trying to assess the requirement of security forces, climate and exam schedule — all these inputs are being taken into consideration," he said. Officials in the Commission said they have already moved into an election mode with their teams recently visiting the state to review preparations. Sources in the EC said the UP assembly elections in 2012 were held in February-March and the first meeting of the legislative assembly was held on May 28. The Election Commission can hold elections any time prior to the first meeting of the House.

The Home Ministry has assured to provide 80,000 Central forces to hold the elections in UP. The Commission is drafting state police personnel also for the election duty. The state will also witness the highest number of 1,28,112 polling booths.

Zaidi further said an Election Commission team will visit Punjab next week and later on Uttarakhand and Goa to undertake ground level review of preparations. "EC had begun the preparations about six months in advance. And the Commission is working according to a very tight calendar of activities. There are more than 140 activities which we have to plan before we schedule the elections. And those activities are proceeding satisfactorily," he said.

The dates for polling in four states may clash with the budget session of Parliament as the government is planning to start it from January 23 or 24 to facilitate presentation of the Budget on February 1, instead of last day of February. In Uttar Pradesh, having the highest 403 seats in the assembly, the first phase of polling for 60 seats is tentatively fixed for first week of February. A total of 55 constituencies will go to polls in the second phase, followed by 59 in third phase, 36 in fourth phase, 56 in fifth phase, 49 in sixth phase, and remaining 68 in the seventh phase.