INDIA:#
The Assembly elections across the five poll-bound states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur will be held between February 10 and March 7 in a total of seven phases and conclude with the counting on March 7, the Election Commission of India announced Saturday.
The poll panel also banned all road shows and rallies till January 15 amid rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country and a massive spread of the Omicron variant. “Later on, physical rallies may be allowed with restrictions depending on the situation,” Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said.
Chandra added, “Parties and candidates are advised to conduct their campaigns as much as possible through the virtual mode. The expenditure limit of candidates has also been increased accordingly.”
While the expenditure limit has been increased to Rs 95 lakh (from Rs 70 lakh) each for Lok Sabha candidates, the Rs 28 lakh ceiling has been increased to Rs 40 lakh for candidates of the Assembly polls.
Chandra said the increased poll expenditure limit will help candidates meet expenses of digital modes of communication.
He added that the total number of electors across the five states is over 18 crore along with 24.9 lakh first time voters.
The announcement of the polls assumes significance at a time when the BJP is facing repercussions even after it rolled back the three controversial farm laws. However, although for different reasons, the polls are equally important for the other parties.
For instance, in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party is eyeing at regaining their lost throne while Congress is playing its women power card through Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to have an edge. In Punjab, while Congress is trying its best to hold on to its seat amid instances of infighting, AAP is trying to portray itself as an alternative.
