Video | Assembly polls 2017: Candidates required to file ‘No Demand Certificate’, says EC

In a first, Election commission of India on Wednesday announced that every candidate contesting assembly polls for five states would have to file a ‘No demand certificate’ declaring any pending electricity, water, telephone bills and rent for government accommodation in their possession in last ten years. This no demand certificate is mandatory for all the candidates filing for the state assembly polls.

The Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi announced the polling dates for the Assembly elections in five states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur and Punjab on Wednesday along with the model code of conduct that comes into effect soon after the polling date announcement.

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The seven-phased Uttar Pradesh Assembly poll schedule would be for 403 constituencies which will be held on 11, 15, 19, 23, 27 February and 4 and 8 March.

Over 16 crore voters will exercise their democratic rights for a total of 690 constituencies in five states.

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Centre’s demonetisation drive has also discourage use of black money in the elections, for which Zaidi said that use of black money in these elections is expected to reduce post demonetisation, but use of other illegal inducements in different forms may see an increase.

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