Photo: S. Subramanium

ENDING UNCERTAINTY: Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami, flanked by Election Commissioners S.Y. Quareshi (left) and Navin Chawla, announces the Uttar Pradesh election schedule at a press meet in New Delhi on Wednesday. — Photo: S. Subramanium

New Delhi : The Election Commission on Wednesday announced a seven-phase Assembly election schedule for Uttar Pradesh, beginning on April 7 and ending on May 8, rendering infructuous the United Progressive Alliance Government's strategy of dismissing the Mulayam Singh Government and imposing President's rule.

Addressing a press conference here, Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami said the second phase of voting would be on April 13; the third phase on April 18; the fourth phase on April 23; the fifth phase on April 28; the sixth phase on May 3 and the final phase on May 8. He said 62 constituencies would go to the polls in the first phase; 58 in the second; 57 in the third; 57 in the fourth; 58 in the fifth; 52 in the sixth and 59 in the last phase.

Counting of votes in the 403 constituencies, including 89 reserved, would be held on May 11 and results might be declared the same day. The poll process would be completed before May 14, when the term of the present Assembly expires.

Model code

Mr. Gopalaswami, flanked by the two Election Commissioners, Navin Chawla and S.Y. Quareshi, said the Model Code of Conduct would come into effect immediately.

Asked whether imposition of President's rule would amount to a violation of the code, he said: "We cannot comment on speculative issues. We can comment as and when it happens."

About the seven-phase schedule, he said this was fixed keeping in view all relevant aspects, including the total number of 1.10 lakh polling stations for 114.3 million voters; school examinations; festivals, law and order situation including the problems posed by extremist elements, availability of Central para-military forces, time needed for movement and proper deployment of forces, and other ground realities.

The Commission would monitor the ground situation closely and take appropriate measures to ensure peaceful, free and fair polls. It would deploy general and expenditure observers and they would keep a close watch on the electoral process.

Under the supervision of the poll Observers, the Commission would monitor the deployment. The State Government had been asked to ensure strict implementation of the provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act so that people from weaker sections were not intimidated to vote in a particular manner.

The Commission issued detailed guidelines for video coverage of all critical events during the election process and polling in sensitive/hypersensitive booths on the poll day. Digital cameras would be deployed inside booths wherever possible.

Till now, 75.71 per cent of the population had been covered with Electors Photo Identity Cards and efforts were being made to maximise the coverage before the polling dates.

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