The Hindu : Front Page : Assembly polls from April 3 to May 8

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Thursday, Mar 02, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Assembly polls from April 3 to May 8

Siddharth Narrain

Five-phase exercise in West Bengal

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Wednesday announced the schedule for elections to the West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Pondicherry Assemblies.

While all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on May 8, elections in West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Pondicherry will be spread over the period from April 3 to May 8. Counting of votes in all these States will be done on May 11.

Chief Election Commissioner B.B. Tandon said it would be a five-phased exercise in West Bengal: 45 segments would go to the polls on April 17; 66 on April 22; 77 on April 27; 57 on May 3 and 49 on May 8.

Ground realities

Asked why the elections were staggered, he said the Commission had taken into account the "ground realities" and availability of paramilitary forces.

"We want to provide adequate area combination coverage and deployment of forces, especially in the naxal-affected areas."

In Kerala, the elections would be held in three phases. While 59 constituencies would go to the polls on April 22, the second phase, covering 66 constituencies, would be held on April 29. Elections in 15 segments in Kasargode and Kannur districts would take place on May 3.

Mr. Tandon said the main reason for staggering the elections in Kerala was the absence of adequate police force.

In Assam, 65 segments would go to the polls on April 3 and the remaining 61 on April 10.

The Commission decided the schedule after taking into consideration the views of political parties, which felt that the elections should be held before the Bihu festival.

It also took into account the possibility of an early monsoon.

For the 30 seats in Pondicherry the elections would be held in two phases. Yanam, an enclave in Andhra Pradesh, and Mahe (two seats), adjoining Kerala, would go to the polls on May 3. For the other 27 seats in the Union Territory, the elections would be held on May 8.

The entire electoral process would be completed by May 20.

With the announcement of the schedule, the Model Code of Conduct had come into effect and it would apply to all candidates, political parties, and the Governments.

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