The Election Commission on today has announced the schedule for assembly elections in West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. “Elections will be held in 824 assembly constituencies in the 5 states. The counting day for all 5 states is May 19,” chief election commissioner Nasim Zaidi said during a press conference. The Model Code of Conduct will be enforced with immediate effect and the governments of the poll-bound states as well as the Centre would not be able to announce any new schemes or programs that may influence the voters.

Announcement
1.    824 - Total assembly seats in 5 states
2.    17 crore voters
3.    Symbol for NOTA introduced
4.    Poll dates: April 4 - May 17
5.    Counting Day: May 19

1) Assam
•    Constituencies: 126
•    Voters: 1.98 crore
•    Polling botths: 25000
•    Phases: 2
•    Phase 1: 65 seats, April 4
•    Phase 2: 61 seats, April 11
•    Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: March 11, 14
•    Last Date for Nominations: March 18, 21
•    Date for Scrutiny of Nominations: March 19, 22
•    Last date for withdrawal of candidatures: March 21, 26

2) West Bengal
•    Voters: 6.55 crore
•    Polling booths: 77247
•    Constituencies: 294
•    Phases: 6
•    Phase 1: 18 seats (Apr 4), 31 seats (Apr 11)
•    Phase 2: 56 seats (Apr 17)
•    Phase 3: 62 seats (Apr 21)
•    Phase 4: 49 seats (Apr 25)
•    Phase 5: 53 seats (Apr 30)
•    Phase 6: 25 seats (May 5)
•    Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: March 11&14, 22, 28, April 1, 4, 7
•    Last Date for Nominations: March 18&21, 29, April 4, 8, 11
•    Date for Scrutiny of Nominations: March 19&22, 30, April 5, 9, 19
•    Last date for withdrawal of candidatures: March 21&26, April 1, 7, 11, 21

3) Tamil Nadu
•    Voters: 5.8 crore
•    Polling booths: 65616
•    Constituencies: 234
•    Phase: One
•    Poll date: May 16
•    Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: April 22
•    Last Date for Nominations: April 29
•    Date for Scrutiny of Nominations: April 30
•    Last date for withdrawal of candidatures: May 2

4) Kerala
•    Voters: 2.56 crore
•    Polling booths: 21498
•    Constituencies: 140
•    Phase: One
•    Poll date: May 16
•    Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: April 22
•    Last Date for Nominations: April 29
•    Date for Scrutiny of Nominations: April 30
•    Last date for withdrawal of candidatures: May 2

5) Puducherry
•    Voters: 9,27,000
•    Polling booth: 913
•    Constituencies: 30
•    Phase: One
•    Dates: May 16
•    Date of Issue of Gazette Notification: April 22
•    Last Date for Nominations: April 29
•    Date for Scrutiny of Nominations: April 30
•    Last date for withdrawal of candidatures: May 2

By Premji