The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for Assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. Polling will be held in April, with results declared on May 4.
India Gears Up for Major State Polls; Results to Be Declared on May 4
New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the dates for the assembly elections in fout states and one union territory at a press conference held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. According to the Election Commission of India, this time elections will be held in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.
According to the Election Commission, voting will be held in four states and one union territory in April, with counting taking place on May 4. The voting dates are as follows:
Kerala: April 9 (one phase)
Assam: April 9 (one phase)
Puducherry: April 9 (one phase)
Tamil Nadu: April 23 (one phase)
West Bengal: April 23 and 29 (two phases)
The results of these elections will be declared on May 4.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated that approximately 174 million voters will participate in the voting process in these five regions. Voting will be held for a total of 824 assembly seats. The Election Commission stated that 2.19 lakh polling stations will be set up for voting, where voters will exercise their franchise.
A large number of election personnel will be deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of these elections. According to the Election Commission, a total of 2.5 million election officials and staff will be involved in the process. These include approximately 1.5 million election officials, 8.5 lakh security personnel, 49,000 micro observers, 1,444 observers, 40,000 counting officials, 21,000 sector officers, and approximately 15,000 other micro observers.
The Election Commission has taken several new initiatives to make the election process more transparent this time. According to the Commission, the index card and data report will be released within 72 hours of the results being declared.
Furthermore, if any discrepancy is found between Form 17C and EVM data, the VVPAT slips will be counted compulsorily.
The Election Commission also stated that if a candidate applies within 7 days of the results being declared, the burn memory of 5 percent of EVMs will be checked and verified. This move aims to further strengthen trust and transparency in the electoral process.
