The Election Commission of India is all set to announce the schedule for the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections today.
Read also | Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections | BJP trying to repeat victory
Although assembly elections are due in both the states this year, it is not clear whether the Election Commission will announce the schedule for both the states or just one state on Friday.
Here are the latest updates:
3.25 pm
‘Know your candidate’ app to help voters make informed choices: CEC
CEC Rajeev Kumar says that the ‘Know Your Candidate’ app will help voters to know the assets, liabilities, criminal records and all other information about the candidates so that voters can make an informed choice. Mr Kumar requests voters not to help spread fake narratives or rumours.
3.20 pm
Postal ballots available for people above 80 years of age, handicapped and COVID patients: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar informed that the CEC has informed that postal ballots will be available for people above 80 years of age, persons with disabilities and COVID patients. The CEC says that the entire process will be videographed.
3.15 pm
Upgradation of Polling Stations
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar says that each polling station will have ramp, volunteers, drinking water, waiting room, toilets with water facilities and adequate lighting, all polling stations will be on the ground floor.
He says that there will be only women polling stations, where the security personnel will also be women. The Election Commission is planning to have at least one such polling station in each assembly constituency. He said that this time the Election Commission also plans to add persons with disabilities as polling staff.
3.13 pm
Though COVID is not a serious threat as it was in the last two years, we continue to be vigilant: CEC Rajeev Kumar
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar says Election Commission officials visited polling states to ensure preparedness keeping the pandemic in mind.
“We are identifying the polling station where the polling percentage is lowest and we are trying to reach out to the voters and motivate them to vote,” he says.
3.09 pm
The Chief Election Commissioner lists the “three broad objectives” of the Election Commission:
1. ECI strives to conduct free, fair, inclusive, accessible, inducement free elections.
2. Voters have a hassle free, comfortable voting experience
3. Ensuring maximum voter participation especially youth, disabled, women and elderly voters.
3.05 PM
We are adding a celebration of democracy: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar says, “We are adding another festival to the month of October: the festival of democracy.” “In this festival, people aged 18 to over 100 will participate,” he says.
2.55 pm
The term of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly will end on February 18, 2023; HP set to vote in November, 2022
The term of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly ends on February 18 next year while that of Himachal Pradesh is ending on January 8, 2023. The commission had recently visited both the states to take stock of the election preparedness. While Himachal Pradesh goes to polls in November, Gujarat is expected to vote in December.
Election preparations are in full swing in both the states. On 12 October the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party started the first round of “Gaurav Yatra” from the temple town of Bahucharaji in Mehsana. The Delhi-headquartered AAP, which governs Punjab and the National Capital Territory of Delhi, has positioned itself as the main challenger to the BJP, which has been in power in Gujarat for nearly three decades now. It has announced 41 candidates so far.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will kick off the party’s election campaign in Himachal Pradesh on October 14 with a rally in the state’s Solan district. This comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the hill state and launched the country’s fourth Vande Bharat Express train.