Election in a free and fair manner; ECI announced guidelines

TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ The Election Commission on Wednesday announced the poll dates for elections to five state assemblies – Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Manipur, Goa and Uttarakhand. Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur will be held between February 4 and March 8, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said.

Here is what the ECI said:-

-Expenses above Rs 20,000 have to be out of bank accounts to be set up and it has to be through cheques: ECI

-There will be strict expenditure monitor mechanism to curb black money: CEC Nasim Zaidi

-Kiosks/bastas set up by candidates will be deemed to be set up by candidates, to be included in election exp. by candidates: CEC

-Sound pollution is a concern, no use of loudspeakers after 10 pm. Police and electoral officers will ensure clampdown on it: CEC.

-ECI discourages use of environmentally hazardous material in Assembly Elections campaigns: CEC Nasim Zaidi

-The limit for expenses for candidates is Rs 28 lakh for UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand & Rs 20 lakh for Manipur and Goa: ECI

-Polling station-wise mapping of Persons with Disabilities being done; Assembly Elections to be Persons with Disabilities-friendly: CEC

-Model code of conduct comes into immediate effect: Election Commission

-All women-managed polling stations would be set up: CEC

-Candidates will be required to affix photo on nomination papers, he will be required to mention that he is citizen of India: ECI

-ECI to distribute Voters’ Guide to facilitate voters; there will be voters Assistance booth manned by officials: CEC Nasim Zaidi

-1.85 lakh polling stations to be in operation for Assembly Elections to the five states: CEC Nasim Zaidi

-Every polling station will have 4 posters for voting procedure and dos and don’ts: Nasim Zaidi, ECI

-Nearly 100% voters have Electoral photo ID Card: CEC Nasim Zaidi

-Commission will introduce photo voter list. There will be complete accountability of distribution of photo voter list: CEC Nasim Zaidi

Height of voting compartments has been raised to 30 inch for secrecy: Nasim Zaidi, ECI

-Electoral roll of Goa will be published on Jan 5, Manipur on Jan 12, Punjab Jan 5, Uttarakhand on Jan 10 and UP on Jan 12: CEC Nasim Zaidi.

-There will be complete accountability of photo voter slips, colourful voter guides will be distributed to each family: Nasim Zaidi, ECI

-Nearly 160 million voters will be participating in the polls: ECI.