Election Commission announces dates for Assembly polls of five states: Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand & Goa

NEW DELHI: Assembly elections in UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur will be held between February 4 and March 8, the results of which — to be announced on March 11 — are likely to be seen as a referendum on the demonetisation move by PM Narendra Modi.

Election Commission made the much-anticipated announcement of dates on Wednesday, setting in motion a process that will impact Indian polity in the coming months. The UP polls are already being dubbed as a “semi-final” to the 2019 general elections.

These polls are significant for BJP as a good electoral harvest will boost its strength in the Rajya Sabha in the near future. The outcome will also have a bearing on the Presidential elections later this year.


Assembly Elections 2017: Read all updates here

UP will have a seven phase election, with polling on February 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, March 4 and 8 (other details in graphic).

Manipur, which continues to be under a blockade and is facing law and order problems, will have a twophase election with polling on March 4 and 8.

Punjab and Goa will vote on February 4 while Uttarakhand on Feb 15. While the Code of Conduct has come into force with the announcement, the state-wise notification process will begin with Punjab and Goa on January 11.

Demonetisation is likely to be a big issue in these elections, though the polling pattern will be guided by local factors, caste equations and identity politics. With the Centre propagating a less-cash economy, the extent to which money power is at play in these polls will be keenly watched. One of the new rules of these elections allows parties to use cash for campaign payments only up to Rs 20,000.

Candidates will also have to take oath this time that they have no pending public utility bills. The SC order last week barring political parties and candidates from seeking votes in the name of religion or caste has also added to the worries of the contestants.

While SP is seeking to retain power in UP and is facing a challenge from BJP and BSP, Congress is trying to beat anti-incumbency in Uttarakhand and Manipur. BJP is a part of the ruling coalition in Punjab and rules Goa. The caste-ridden politics of UP now has an added dimension with the feud in the first family of SP. CM Akhilesh Yadav is fighting over the symbol, bicycle, with his father and party patriarch Mulayam.

Also Read: 2017 assembly polls at a glance: Crucial dates and main players

SAD-BJP combine, which has ruled Punjab for two consecutive terms, has not lost hope, especially if AAP makes it a triangular contest at the expense of Congress. AAP is also making things difficult for BJP and Congress in Goa.

However, BJP is still confident of retaining power. BJP is hopeful of defeating Congress in Uttarakhand while CM Harish Rawat is playing the victim card, citing the saffron party’s attempt to topple his government a few months ago.

BJP is hopeful of defeating Congress in Manipur currently under Congress rule. Manipur has been facing an economic blockade on its two highways since November 1 over creation of seven new districts.

(Inputs from Bikash Singh in Guwahati)