New Delhi: Amid the corona threat, the Election Commission today announced the dates for assembly elections in 5 states. These include UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. In 2017, the Commission announced the dates for the Assembly elections on January 4, but this time the new date of polling is being announced on January 8, which means a 4-day delay. Last time Uttar Pradesh went to the polls in 7 phases. Counting of votes in all these 5 states in the 2017 elections was held on March 11.

The first phase of elections will be held in UP on February 10. The second phase will be held on February 14, the third phase on February 20, the fourth phase on February 23, the fifth phase on February 27. Apart from this, the sixth phase of elections will be held on March 3 and the seventh phase on March 7. The Election Commission has said that Manipur Assembly elections will be conducted in two phases. Polling will be held in the first phase on February 27 and the second phase will be held on March 3.

Assembly elections in Punjab will be held in one phase only. Elections will be held in Punjab on February 14. Apart from this, elections will also be held in Uttarakhand in a single phase. Voting will be held here on February 14. Goa will also vote in a single phase on February 14. The Election Commission said that digital elections will be conducted. There will be no Vijay Yatra or program. We will see the situation and then we will permit the physical rally. Mask and corona rules are mandatory. Covid rules will have to be strictly implemented. Along with this, the Election Commission said that political parties, officers and people should take care of the corona protocol. Political parties are suggested to digitize their campaigns. No road shows, padyatras and political rallies will be held till January 15. No physical rally will be conducted. It should be considered a campaign curfew. Digital election campaigns will be conducted. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

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