UP and 4 other states may have simultaneous polls

NEW DELHI: There will no separate or delayed poll dates for Uttar Pradesh as speculated by many in the political circles. UP will, in all likelihood, go to polls with the four other states, sources indicated to ET. The talk about delaying UP polls had gained credence because of an ‘aberration’ that had crept in when all these states went to polls in 2012.

As per the 2012 elections and the consequent formation of state governments then, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa must have a new state assembly in place by March 26.

The main reason for this is that the Election Commission of India (ECI) feels that declaring results of Punjab, Manipur, Goa and Uttarakhand assembly polls could influence the voting preference in UP and go against the principles of ensuring free and fair elections. The EC, therefore, is learnt to be of the view that all the five states must go to polls under a common notification.

In case of UP, however, a peculiar situation was created in 2012. While the chief minister took charge earlier, the rest of the Cabinet was sworn into office only in May. Therefore, a new state assembly must be in place in UP not later than May 27.

Due to this technical ‘aberration’, UP now has more time than the other states to usher in a new state government. However, EC reckons that this must be corrected and therefore it is best that all the five states go to polls together.

The Election Commission, meanwhile, has to consider examination schedules, availability of security personnel and other issues before announcing poll dates. It is expected that the commission will announce the dates for the five states in the next few days. The elections are likely to be scheduled for February and March, with a seven phase schedule for UP.

About 16 million voters will exercise their voting rights across the five states in the upcoming polls.