Jharkhand, J&K to go to 5-phase polling, results on Dec 23

, Oct 25: The

of India on Saturday announced the dates for the upcoming assembly polls in

and

. Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath announced the dates here.

Sampath said the recent calamity in Jammu and Kashmir would have no special impact on the polls, adding that post-flood situation, along with other factors like climate, festivals and law and order have been taken into account while deciding the poll schedule.

"Except for one political party, most of the political parties (in Jammu and Kashmir) were in favour of holding elections on time. They said there is no reason, no justification for delaying the polls. The EC's mandate is to hold elections on time," he said. The current six-year term of Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly comes to an end on January 16.

The first phase of polls in Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir and bypolls in three Delhi assembly seats of Krishna Nagar, Mehrauli and Tughlakabad will be held on November 25.

The second phase of polling in Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir will be on December 2.

The third phase of polling in these two states will be on December 9.

The fourth phase of polling will be held on December 14.

The fifth and final phase of polling will be on December 20.

The results will be declared on December 23.

Jharkhand

Seats: 81

2009 results: BJP - 18, JMM - 18, Congress - 14, JVM - 11, RJD - 5, Independents - 2

Jammu & Kashmir

Seats: 87

2008 results: National Conference - 28, PDP - 21, Congress - 17, BJP - 11, Independents - 4

Oneindia News

[With PTI inputs]