Poll dates as it happened: EC says Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections planned such to ensure voting patterns remain unaffected in Gujarat

On conducting simultaneous elections

The Election Commission said 40 lakhs EVMs and VVPATs are expected to be received from its manufacturers BHEL and Electronic Corporation of India which will help conduct Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections simultaneously, said the EC.

Monitoring committees to be set up to keep a check on paid news

To counter the menace of paid news, the EC said monitoring committees at state and district levels will be set up in the upcoming Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls.

Gujarat election dates delayed due to ongoing flood rehabilitation

In a letter to the Election Commission from the Gujarat chief secretary, the state government asked for additional time as the July floods relief and rehabilitation is yet to completed properly, according to Chief Election Commissioner AK Jyoti. Since roads have been washed out, and the relief works began in September, the state government asked for more time to enforce the Model Code of Conduct.

CCTV camera coverage to be provided, says EC

The Election Commission announced Himachal Pradesh polls will be videographed with CCTV coverage and webcasting facilities. The District Election Officer will arrange cameras, allotment of symbols, preparation and storage of EVMs, polling processes etc.

Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections to be held in November to avoid weather conditions affecting polling

Another reason Himachal Pradesh polls are being held earlier in November is to ensure weather factors such as snowfall do not affect voting, according to EC.

Reason behind large gap between voting and counting of votes in Himachal Pradesh

The large gap between the voting and counting of votes in Himachal Pradesh is to ensure there is no effect on voting patterns in Gujarat Assembly elections which will be held before 18 December, says EC.

Important dates for Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections:

Date of filing nominations – 16 October, 2017
Last date of filing nominations – 23 October, 2017 
Last date of scrutiny – 24 October, 2017
Last date for withdrawal of nominations – 26 October, 2017 
Date of polling: 9 November, 2017 
Counting of votes: 18 December, 2017
Completion of elections – 20 December, 2017

Size of VVPAT machine screens increased

Expenditure observers to be posted to monitor election expenses during Himachal Pradesh polls

To maintain law and order, the Election Commission said senior IPS officers will be posted in each district along with expenditure observers to monitor the election expenses of all candidates.

SMSes, voice messages to be under purview of election ads, says EC

Bulk SMSes and voice messages on phone shall also be in purview of election advertisements, says Chief Election Commissioner AK Jyoti, reported ANI.

Model Code of Conduct kicks in for Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls immediately

136 all-women polling booths in Himachal Pradesh for first time

Height of voting compartments to increased

To maintain the secrecy of voting, the Election Commission said the height of the voting compartment will be increased to 30 inches as against 24 inches. Additionally, it will be placed on a table of 30 inches tall.

AK Joti, Chief Election Commissioner begins addressing press conference

You can watch it LIVE here:

Election Commission team arrived in Himachal Pradesh to review poll preparation

A two-member team of the Election Commission on 4 September arrived in Shimla to review the preparations for the state Assembly polls due to be held later this year.

The team, comprising Deputy Election Commissioners Sandeep Saxena and Umesh Sinha, will hold talks with the top civil and police officers to take stock of the poll preparations in the state, official sources said.

The last Assembly election in the state was held on 4 November, 2012 in a single phase.

Congress announced Virbhadra Singh as CM candidate in Himachal Pradesh

Kicking off Congress’ campaign in poll-bound Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, its vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday announced that incumbent Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh will be the party’s chief ministerial candidate.

Backing the chief minister, Gandhi said that Virbhadra Singh, 83, has ensured the uniform development of the entire hill state and was confident that the Congress party would retain power.

“Virbhadra Singhji, you became chief minister six times and I assure that you would become chief minister for the seventh time also and the entire Congress party stands behind you,” Gandhi said addressing the “Vijay se Vikas Ki Aur” rally, four days after a BJP rally at Bilaspur that was addressed by the prime minister.

Himachal Pradesh Assembly current strength

In the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Congress has 36 seats, BJP 26 seats, Himachal Lokhit Party had won one seat while Independents bagged five.

Gujarat Assembly strength at the moment

The strength in the 182-member Gujarat Assembly currently comprises 115 BJP MLAs, 61 from the Congress, two from the NCP, and one from JD(U).

EC indicated Gujarat polls may be held in December

The Election Commission on Monday indicated that Gujarat may go to polls in December. 

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AK Joti also said that voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) system will be used in over 50,000 booths in Gujarat. VVPAT was first used in Goa polls earlier this year.

“Elections will have to be held in December as the term of the current Gujarat Assembly is coming to end in the third week of January next,” Joti said in response to a query on media reports and some politicians claiming that polls are going to be held in December.

Himachal Pradesh Assembly’s term to end on 7 January

The 68-member Himachal Pradesh’s Assembly term ends on 7 January, 2018.

Gujarat Assembly’s term ends on 22 January

The term of the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will end on 22 January, 2018.