UP civic polls to be held in three-phases in Nov; Counting on Dec 1

The state election commission on Friday announced that the Uttar Pradesh civic polls would be held in three-phases on November 22, 26 and 29. The counting of votes would be held on December 1.

Around 30 million voters would be eligible to exercise their franchise in these polls to be held for over 650 posts, including 438 municipal boards, 202 town areas and 16 corporations.

The upcoming local body polls will be a key test for Yogi Adityanath as they would indicate whether the Chief Minister has been able to ensure that the BJP continues to maintain its popularity level.

Earlier this year, the BJP had secured a three-fourths majority in the state Assemble paving way for Adityanath to be chosen as the chief minister.

The outcome of these polls would reveal the mood of the voters ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The civic polls, which were earlier scheduled for June-July, were postponed as the electoral rolls and some other processes could not be completed within the stipulated time- frame.

The Samajwadi Party and the Congress, which forged an alliance in run up to the 2017 UP state polls, have decided to contest these elections separately.

The AAP too has decided to throw its hat in the ring, while the Bahujan Samaj Party will also fight the polls without an alliance.

OneIndia News