7-phase poll for UP, 1 for other states

New Delhi, Dec 24:The Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi announced the dates of upcoming assembly elections in five states- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab, Manipur.

While announcing the dates for the assembly elections, he Quraishi claimed that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) would be used in all the polling booths and photo identity cards would be mandatory for all the voters.

He stated that the electoral candidates will have to open a new bank account, so that they can manage the expenses and all expenses would be monitored by the Income Tax department.

According to commissioner, the special committees will be appointed to monitor the 'Paid news'. The Home Ministry has promised to provide around 70,000-80,000 paramilitary personnel for the election bound states. Read More: EC announces poll dates for 5 states

However, the polls in Uttar Pradesh will be carried in seven-phases, while in other states, elections will be carried in single phase.

Four parties are contesting from Uttar Pradesh, those are Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

This election is important for the Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi as the polls result is likely to impact the Congress strategy for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

In this assembly elections, Punjab will face the close contest between Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance. In Goa and Uttarkhand, the fight is between Congress and BJP. While, Congress and the Manipur People's Party are contesting against each other in Manipur.

OneIndia News