Uttar Pradesh civic polls 2017: Voting to be held in three phases from Nov 22, results on Dec 1

The Election Commission on Friday declared the dates and schedule for Uttar Pradesh local bodies election 2017. The elections will be conducted in three phases on November 22, 26 and 29 while the counting of votes will take place on December 1.

With the announcement of dates and schedule of UP Civic Polls, the model code of conduct has come into effect.

"As per the schedule, 24 districts will go to polls on November 22, 25 districts on November 26, and 26 districts on November 29," State Election Commissioner SK Agarwal told reporters in Lucknow.

A total 3.32 crore voters will be eligible to cast their votes at 36,269 polling booths and 11,389 polling stations.

The first phase of elections will cover 24 districts and over 1.9 crore voters will cast their votes to elect 230 local bodies spread over 4,095 wards.

The second phase will cover 25 districts having 189 local bodies covering 3,601 wards. The polls will be held at 13,776 polling booths to be set up for 1.29 crore voters.

In the third and last phases, 26 districts will go to polls in which there are 233 local bodies spread over 4,299 wards.

Tough test for UP CM Yogi Adityanath and his government:

The upcoming municipal polls in Uttar Pradesh will be a key test for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as they would indicate whether the priest-turned-politician has been able to ensure that the BJP continues to maintain its popularity level.

Earlier this year, riding on Hindutva wave the party had secured a three-fourths majority in the state assemble paving way for 45-year-old saffron-clad Adityanath to become the chief minister.

The civic polls is being seen as a major challenge for the Hindutva leader as the outcome would reveal the mood of the voters ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, suggests Political pundits.

(With PTI inputs)