ECI To Announce Poll Dates Today: Assembly Elections In 5 States, Press Meet At 4 PM
The Election Commission of India is set to announce the schedule for the upcoming Assembly elections in five regions later today.
The poll panel will hold a press conference at 4 pm, where it is expected to reveal the election dates for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct will immediately come into force. This means political parties and governments will no longer be allowed to make new policy announcements or launch schemes that could influence voters during the election period.
According to sources, most states may go to the polls in a single phase, while voting in West Bengal could be conducted in three to four phases due to security concerns. Elections in the state have traditionally been held in multiple phases because of political tensions and the need for heavy security deployment.
During the 2021 Assembly elections, West Bengal had eight phases of voting, while Assam had three phases. Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry held their elections in a single phase.
Security arrangements are already being strengthened in sensitive areas. Reports indicate that around 480 battalions of central security forces have been deployed in West Bengal ahead of the elections.
The Election Commission has also introduced a change in how central forces will be deployed. This time, police observers appointed by the commission will decide the deployment in consultation with district officials. Earlier, the decision was largely handled by the local police chiefs.
The upcoming elections are expected to see intense political contests across the five regions.
In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party is looking to make major gains.
In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin is seeking another term for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The election has also gained attention after actor-turned-politician Vijay entered politics with his party.
Meanwhile, in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is attempting to secure a third consecutive term, while the Indian National Congress hopes to return to power.
The elections in Assam and Puducherry are also expected to witness close contests as major parties prepare for a high-stakes battle.
The Election Commission’s announcement later today will officially kick off one of the most closely watched election seasons in India this year.
