Vidhan sabha elections announced

The election schedule for Himachal Pradesh state assembly has been announced. Now elections will be held in two phases on November 14th and December 19th. While, elections for the snow bound areas will be held on November 14th, for other seats, the elections will take place on December 19th.

Three constituencies will go to polls in the first phase and 65 in the second.

As per earlier plan, the state was to go to polls in February 2008.

As per programme announced by the Election Commission of India, the counting of votes in Himachal Pradesh will be taken up on December 28.

The poll schedule was announced by the Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy at a press conference in New Delhi.

The code of conduct for the election was also enforced from today.

Meanwhile, Himachal chief minister, Vir Bhadra Singh who is in USA these days may come back to state by tonight to tomorrow, according to an official spokesman.

SCHEDULE I

(For election to 3
ACs i.e. 1-Kinnaur (ST); 54-Bharmour (ST) and 55-Lahaul & Spiti (ST)

 

Date
of Issue of Gazette
Notification

Last Date for

making
Nomination

 Last
Date for Scrutiny of Nominations
Last
Date for Withdrawal of candidature
The
date(s) on
which
Poll
shall, if
necessary, be taken

20.10.07

(Saturday)

 

27.10.07
(Saturday)
29.10.07
(Monday)
31.10.07
(Wednesday)
14.11.07
(Wednesday)

 

SCHEDULE II

(For election to the remaining 65 Assembly Constituencies)

 

Date
of Issue of Gazette
Notification

Last Date for

making
Nomination

Last
Date for Scrutiny of Nominations
Last
Date for Withdrawal of candidature
The
date(s) on
which
Poll
shall, if
necessary, be taken

23.11.07 (Friday)

 

 30.11.07
(Friday)
 01.12.07
(Saturday)
 
03.12..07 (Monday)
 19.12.07
(Wednesday)

Counting for both the Phases on 28.12.07 (Friday)

The date before which election shall be completed : 31.12.07

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2 Comments

  1. says: PIB release

    The terms of the Legislative Assemblies of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh are normally due to expire on 26th December 2007 and 9th March 2008 respectively. By virtue of its powers, duties and functions under Article 324 read with Article 172(1) of the Constitution of India, Section 15 of Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Commission is under a constitutional mandate to hold general elections to constitute the new Legislative Assemblies in these States at any time within a period of six months before the expiry of the present term.

    In the case of Himachal Pradesh, there are 68 assembly constituencies. Out of them, there are 3 ACs namely, 1-Kinnaur (ST), 54-Bharmour (ST) and 55-Lahaul and Spiti (ST) located in higher reaches of the State. The passes in this area are officially closed on 15th November in view of winter and snowfall. In the past, whenever the General Elections were held during winter, though the elections were announced together for the entire State, invariably, the elections to these 3 ACs had to be postponed to a later date in May – June as the areas become snow bound and inaccessible. There was a demand that the elections to all the constituencies in Himachal Pradesh should be held together and there was a specific opinion against the elections to the above 3 ACs being held separately after the conclusion of the elections in the other constituencies. This matter also is being agitated before the Hon’ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh.

    The Election Commission had a consultation meeting with all the political parties on this issue and all the political parties were of the view that the elections to all the constituencies of Himachal should be held together, and expressed a specific opinion against the idea of elections to the 3 ACs being conducted after the election process is completed in rest of the State.

    Keeping all these in view, the Election Commission has decided to announce the election schedule for conducting general election to Himachal Pradesh.

    ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES

    2. There are 182 Assembly Constituency seats (ACs) in Gujarat out of which 26 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Tribes and 13 seats are reserved for Schedules Castes. In case of Himachal Pradesh, there are 68 seats of which 3 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes and 16 are reserved for Scheduled Castes.

    ELECTORAL ROLLS

    3. General Elections will be conducted in these States on the basis of the electoral rolls revised with reference to 01.01.07 as the qualifying date. The electoral roll revision process in these States has been completed and the final publication was made in Gujarat on 23.07.07 and in case of Himachal Pradesh on 5.6.07. As per final rolls, there are 3,66,39,686 electors in the State of Gujarat and 45,43,024 electors in Himachal Pradesh. The electoral rolls of all the Assembly Constituencies of these States have been computerized and are available on the website of the Chief Electoral Officers of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

    ELECTORS PHOTO IDENTITY CARDS (EPIC)

    4. Identification of the voters at the polling booth at the time of poll shall be mandatory. Presently, in Gujarat, EPIC coverage stands at 81.34% while in case of Himachal Pradesh it is 73.11%. The Commission has issued instructions to both the states to continue the campaign for increasing the EPIC coverage.

    ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMs)

    5 The Elections in both the States will be conducted at all polling stations using EVMs. The Commission has already made arrangements to ensure availability of adequate number of EVMs for the smooth conduct of elections.

    INDELIBLE INK

    6. The Commission in recent times has been adopting a new procedure for the application of indelible ink. The new procedure of applying the ink as a line running from top of the nail to the bottom of first joint of the left forefinger will be followed during the forthcoming general election in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh also.

    LAW AND ORDER AND DEPLOYMENT OF FORCES

    7. Based on the assessment of the ground situation, Central Para Military Forces (CPMFs) and State Armed Police (SAPs) drawn from other States will be deployed during the ensuing general elections. The CPMF and SAP will be used generally for safeguarding the polling stations and for providing security to the electors and polling personnel at the polling stations on the poll day. Besides, these forces will be used for securing the strong rooms where the EVMs are stored and at the counting centers. Wherever needed, the CPMF will be deployed in advance for area domination. The identification of polling stations requiring coverage by CPMF in various assembly constituencies will be made in consultation with the ECI Observers.

    8. The Commission has been issuing instructions from time to time with regard to the advance preventive measures to be taken by the District Magistrates and Police authorities to maintain the Law & Order and to create atmosphere conducive for the conduct of free and fair elections. The Commission will be monitoring the ground situation closely and will take appropriate measures to ensure peaceful, free and fair polls in these States.

    OBSERVERS

    10. The Commission will be deploying General and Expenditure Observers to ensure smooth conduct of forthcoming General Election in these two states. The Observers will be asked to keep a close watch on every stage of the electoral process to ensure free and fair elections.

    CONDUCT OF OFFICIALS

    11. The Commission expects all officials engaged in the conduct of elections to discharge their duties in an impartial manner without any fear or favour. Several instructions have been issued from time to time to ensure impartiality of officials who are engaged in conduct of elections. The conduct of all government officials who have been entrusted with election related responsibilities and duties would remain under constant scrutiny of the Commission and strict action shall be taken against those officials who are found wanting on any account.

    12. The Commission has already given instructions that no election related official or

    Police officer of the rank of Sub Inspector and above shall be allowed to continue in his home district. Besides, instructions have also been issued that all the election related officials including the police officials who have completed three years in a district during last four years should be transferred out of that district. The Government of the States has also been asked to transfer all those officers against whom the Commission has recommended disciplinary action or who have been charged for any lapse during previous elections or for any election related work, from the positions entailing any election work.

    13. The Governments of these States have been instructed to ensure that those who stand transferred shall move out physically of their last place of posting and not remain there on any pretext including leave.

    14. The Commission has also instructed the State Government not to associate any officer with the electoral process against whom charges have been framed in a court of law in any case.

    PROTECTION TO SC/ST ELECTORS

    20. As per Section 3 (1) (vii) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, whoever, not being a member of a Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe, forces or intimidates a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe not to vote or to vote to a particular candidate or to vote in a manner other than that provided by law shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years and with fine. The Commission has asked the State Government to bring these provisions to the notice of all concerned for prompt action.

    POLLING STATIONS

    15. There are 39620 polling stations in Gujarat and 6232 polling stations in Himachal Pradesh. For the facility of physically challenged persons, instructions have been issued to ensure that all polling stations are located at ground floor and ramps are provided. Facilitation shall also be provided for locating voter’s name against a polling station or a group of polling stations through help lines and facilitation centres.

    POLLING PARTIES AND RANDOMIZATION

    16. Polling parties shall be formed randomly, through a special software. Three-stage randomization will be adopted. First, from a wider district database of eligible officials, a shortlist of about 150% of the required numbers will be randomly picked. This group will be trained for polling duties. In the second stage, from this trained manpower, actual polling parties shall be formed by random selection software in the presence of ECI Observers. In the last stage, the polling stations will be allocated just before the polling party’s departure by random number generation. The Central Government Employees will be utilized for the forthcoming elections to the extent possible.
    COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

    18. The District Election Officers have been asked to prepare a comprehensive district election plan including communication plan using multi-mode resources such as landline telephones, mobile telephones, wireless sets etc., to facilitate effective monitoring and control on the day of poll. They have also been asked to open Help Lines /Control Rooms in each AC for the convenience of electors.

    VIDEOGRAPHY

    19. The Commission has issued detailed guidelines for video coverage of all critical events during the election process and polling at all vulnerable polling booths on the poll day. The digital cameras will also be deployed inside the booths wherever needed.

    MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT

    21. The Model Code of Conduct comes into effect immediately from now onwards. The Code will apply to the whole of the State of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and will be applicable to all candidates, political parties, the State Governments concerned and the Union Government.

    SCHEDULE

    22. The Commission has prepared the schedule for holding General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh after taking into consideration all relevant aspects like the climatic conditions, academic schedules, festivals, prevailing law and order situation in the State, availability of Central Para Military Forces (CPMFs), time needed for movement and proper deployment of forces, and assessment of other ground realities.

    23. The Commission after considering all relevant aspects has decided to recommend to the Governors of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh to issue notifications for the General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of the respective States under the relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as per the schedules given in the Annexure I.(for Gujarat )and Annexure II (for Himachal Pradesh)

    24. The names of the Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat going to poll in phase I are in Annexure III and names of the Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat going to poll in phase II are in Annexure IV .

    Election Commission of India

    New Delhi, Asvina 18, 1929
    October 10, 2007

    RM/AS-101007-

    ANNEXURE I

    Schedule for Election to Legislative Assembly of Gujarat

    SCHEDULE I

    (For election to 87 Assembly Constituencies as in annexure III)

    Date of Issue of Gazette Notification

    Last Date for making Nomination

    Last Date for Scrutiny of Nominations

    Last Date for Withdrawal of candidature

    The date(s) on which Poll shall, if necessary, be taken

    15.11.07

    (Thursday)

    22.11.07

    (Thursday)

    23.11.07 (Friday)

    26.11.07

    (Monday)

    11.12.07

    (Tuesday)

    SCHEDULE II

    (For election to the remaining 95 Assembly Constituencies as in annexure IV)

    Date of Issue of Gazette Notification

    Last Date for making Nomination

    Last Date for Scrutiny of Nominations

    Last Date for Withdrawal of candidature

    The date(s) on which Poll shall, if necessary, be taken

    21.11.07

    (Wednesday)

    28.11.07

    (Wednesday)

    29.11.07

    (Thursday)

    01.12.07

    (Saturday)

    16.12.07

    (Sunday)

    Counting for both the phases on 23.12.07 (Sunday)

    The date before which election shall be completed : 26.12.07

    ANNEXURE II

    Schedule for Election to Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh

    SCHEDULE I

    (For election to 3 ACs i.e. 1-Kinnaur (ST); 54-Bharmour (ST) and 55-Lahaul & Spiti (ST)

    Date of Issue of Gazette Notification

    Last Date for making Nomination

    Last Date for Scrutiny of Nominations

    Last Date for Withdrawal of candidature

    The date(s) on which Poll shall, if necessary, be taken

    20.10.07

    (Saturday)

    27.10.07

    (Saturday)

    29.10.07

    (Monday)

    31.10.07

    (Wednesday)

    14.11.07

    (Wednesday)

    SCHEDULE II

    (For election to the remaining 65 Assembly Constituencies)

    Date of Issue of Gazette Notification

    Last Date for making Nomination

    Last Date for Scrutiny of Nominations

    Last Date for Withdrawal of candidature

    The date(s) on which Poll shall, if necessary, be taken

    23.11.07 (Friday)

    30.11.07 (Friday)

    01.12.07 (Saturday)

    03.12..07 (Monday)

    19.12.07

    (Wednesday)

    Counting for both the Phases on 28.12.07 (Friday)

    The date before which election shall be completed : 31.12.07

    Annexure III

    No.& Names of the Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat going to poll in Phase I

    NO. & NAME OF ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCY

    TYPE

    1

    ABDASA

    GEN

    2

    MANDVI

    GEN

    3

    BHUJ

    GEN

    4

    MUNDRA

    SC

    5

    ANJAR

    GEN

    6

    RAPAR

    GEN

    7

    DASADA

    SC

    8

    WADHWAN

    GEN

    9

    LIMBDI

    GEN

    10

    CHOTILA

    GEN

    11

    HALVAD

    GEN

    12

    DHRANGADHRA

    GEN

    13

    MORVI

    GEN

    14

    TANKARA

    GEN

    15

    WANKANER

    GEN

    16

    JASDAN

    GEN

    17

    RAJKOT-I

    GEN

    18

    RAJKOT-II

    GEN

    19

    RAJKOT RURAL

    SC

    20

    GONDAL

    GEN

    21

    JETPUR

    GEN

    22

    DHORAJI

    GEN

    23

    UPLETA

    GEN

    24

    JODIYA

    GEN

    25

    JAMNAGAR

    GEN

    26

    JAMNAGAR RURAL

    SC

    27

    KALAWAD

    GEN

    28

    JAMJODHPUR

    GEN

    29

    BHANVAD

    GEN

    30

    KHAMBHALIA

    GEN

    31

    DWARKA

    GEN

    32

    PORBANDAR

    GEN

    33

    KUTIYANA

    GEN

    34

    MANGROL

    GEN

    35

    MANAVADAR

    GEN

    36

    KESHOD

    SC

    37

    TALALA

    GEN

    38

    SOMNATH

    GEN

    39

    UNA

    GEN

    40

    VISAVADAR

    GEN

    41

    MALIYA

    GEN

    42

    JUNAGADH

    GEN

    43

    BABRA

    GEN

    44

    LATHI

    GEN

    45

    AMRELI

    GEN

    46

    DHARI

    GEN

    47

    KODINAR

    GEN

    48

    RAJULA

    GEN

    49

    BOTAD

    GEN

    50

    GADHADA

    SC

    51

    PALITANA

    GEN

    52

    SIHOR

    GEN

    53

    KUNDLA

    GEN

    54

    MAHUVA

    GEN

    55

    TALAJA

    GEN

    56

    GHOGHO

    GEN

    57

    BHAVNAGAR NORTH

    GEN

    58

    BHAVNAGAR SOUTH

    GEN

    154

    JAMBUSAR

    GEN

    155

    VAGRA

    GEN

    156

    BROACH

    GEN

    157

    ANKLESHWAR

    GEN

    158

    JHAGADIA

    ST

    159

    DEDIAPADA

    ST

    160

    RAJPIPLA

    ST

    161

    NIJHAR

    ST

    162

    MANGROL

    ST

    163

    SONGADH

    ST

    164

    VYARA

    ST

    165

    MAHUVA

    ST

    166

    BARDOLI

    ST

    167

    KAMREJ

    ST

    168

    OLPAD

    GEN

    169

    SURAT CITY NORTH

    GEN

    170

    SURAT CITY EAST

    GEN

    171

    SURAT CITY WEST

    GEN

    172

    CHORASI

    GEN

    173

    JALALPORE

    GEN

    174

    NAVSARI

    ST

    175

    GANDEVI

    GEN

    176

    CHIKHLI

    ST

    177

    DANGS BANSDA

    ST

    178

    BULSAR

    GEN

    179

    DHARAMPUR

    ST

    180

    MOTA PONDHA

    ST

    181

    PARDI

    ST

    182

    UMBERGAON

    ST

    Annexure IV

    No.& Names of the Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat going to poll in Phase II

    NO. & NAME OF ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCY

    TYPE

    59

    DHANDHUKA

    GEN

    60

    DHOLKA

    GEN

    61

    BAVLA

    SC

    62

    MANDAL

    GEN

    63

    VIRAMGAM

    GEN

    64

    SARKHEJ

    GEN

    65

    DASKROI

    GEN

    66

    DEHGAM

    GEN

    67

    SABARMATI

    GEN

    68

    ELLIS BRIDGE

    GEN

    69

    DARIAPUR-KAZIPUR

    GEN

    70

    SHAHPUR

    GEN

    71

    KALUPUR

    GEN

    72

    ASARWA

    GEN

    73

    RAKHIAL

    GEN

    74

    SHAHER KOTDA

    SC

    75

    KHADIA

    GEN

    76

    JAMALPUR

    GEN

    77

    MANINAGAR

    GEN

    78

    NARODA

    GEN

    79

    GANDHINAGAR

    GEN

    80

    KALOL

    GEN

    81

    KADI

    GEN

    82

    JOTANA

    SC

    83

    MEHSANA

    GEN

    84

    MANSA

    GEN

    85

    VIJAPUR

    GEN

    86

    VISNAGAR

    GEN

    87

    KHERALU

    GEN

    88

    UNJHA

    GEN

    89

    SIDHPUR

    GEN

    90

    VAGDOD

    GEN

    91

    PATAN

    GEN

    92

    CHANASMA

    GEN

    93

    SAMI

    GEN

    94

    RADHANPUR

    GEN

    95

    VAV

    GEN

    96

    DEODAR

    GEN

    97

    KANKREJ

    GEN

    98

    DEESA

    GEN

    99

    DHANERA

    GEN

    100

    PALANPUR

    GEN

    101

    VADGAM

    SC

    102

    DANTA

    GEN

    103

    KHEDBRAHMA

    ST

    104

    IDAR

    SC

    105

    BHILODA

    GEN

    106

    HIMATNAGAR

    GEN

    107

    PRANTIJ

    GEN

    108

    MODASA

    GEN

    109

    BAYAD

    GEN

    110

    MEGHRAJ

    GEN

    111

    SANTRAMPUR

    GEN

    112

    JHALOD

    ST

    113

    LIMDI

    ST

    114

    DOHAD

    ST

    115

    LIMKHEDA

    ST

    116

    DEVGADH BARIA

    GEN

    117

    RAJGADH

    GEN

    118

    HALOL

    GEN

    119

    KALOL

    GEN

    120

    GODHRA

    GEN

    121

    SHEHRA

    GEN

    122

    LUNAVADA

    GEN

    123

    RANDHIKPUR

    ST

    124

    BALASINOR

    GEN

    125

    KAPADVANJ

    GEN

    126

    THASRA

    GEN

    127

    UMRETH

    GEN

    128

    KATHLAL

    GEN

    129

    MEHMEDABAD

    GEN

    130

    MAHUDHA

    GEN

    131

    NADIAD

    GEN

    132

    CHAKALASI

    GEN

    133

    ANAND

    GEN

    134

    SARSA

    GEN

    135

    PETLAD

    GEN

    136

    SOJITRA

    SC

    137

    MATAR

    GEN

    138

    BORSAD

    GEN

    139

    BHADRAN

    GEN

    140

    CAMBAY

    GEN

    141

    CHHOTA UDAIPUR

    ST

    142

    JETPUR

    GEN

    143

    NASVADI

    ST

    144

    SANKHEDA

    ST

    145

    DABHOI

    GEN

    146

    SAVLI

    GEN

    147

    BARODA CITY

    GEN

    148

    SAYAJIGANJ

    GEN

    149

    RAOPURA

    GEN

    150

    VAGHODIA

    GEN

    151

    BARODA RURAL

    GEN

    152

    PADRA

    GEN

    153

    KARJAN

    SC

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