Election Commission to announce dates for assembly polls in five states today

The Election Commission will announce dates for assembly polls in five states - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Punjab and Goa on Wednesday.

‘’ECI to announce assembly elections schedule in Nirvachan Sadan at 12 noon today,” the Press Information Bureau said in a Tweet.

The terms of the legislative assembly of Goa, Manipur and  Punjab are due to expire on March 18 while that of Uttarakhand expires on March 26.  The legislative term of Uttar Pradesh ends on May 27.

ECI to announce #AssemblyElections Schedule in Nirvachan Sadan at 12 noon today; Follow @PIB_India for LIVE updates. pic.twitter.com/hPu3C7VjWT

— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 4, 2017

The EC had held a meeting with chief electoral officers of these poll-bound on Tuesday to fine-tune the arrangements.

The law and order situation in Manipur due to road blockade by some Naga groups was the focus of attention of the Commission in today’s meeting, sources said.

At the meeting, the assessment of the law and order situation, deployment of polling personnel, safety and electronic voting machines and strict implementation of the model code of conduct also came up for discussion.

Here is a brief profile of the poll bound states

Uttar Pradesh

Ruling party- Samajwadi Party

Total seats- 403

Term ends on- 27 May 2017

Manipur

Ruling Party- Indian National Congress

Total seats- 60

Term ends on- 18 March 2017

Punjab

Ruling party- SAD-BJP coalition

Total seats- 117

Term ends on- 18 March 2017

Uttarakhand

Ruling party- Indian National Congress

Total seats- 70

Term ends on- 26 March 2017

Goa

Ruling Party- BJP

Total seats- 40

Term ends on- 18 March 2017

(With inputs from agencies)