Election Commission announces poll dates for five states: highlights

New Delhi: The Election Commission today announced election dates for five states - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Delhi - seen as a semi-final round before the national polls due in May. Here are the highlights from the press conference being held in New Delhi:

• There are 11.3 core voters in all the five states combined
• The model code of conduct for the elections comes into affect from now (the announcement of the poll dates)
• All measures in place to conduct free and fair polls, elaborate security arrangements
• Teams to watch for suspicious cash transactions formed
• Total number of polling stations in 5 states is 1.3 lakhs
• Voter ID slips will be distributed by the staff of Election Commission 3-4 days before the date of poll
• Proper facilities to voters at all polling station like drinking water, light, ramps for physically challenged
• Complaint redress mechanism with call centres to deal with all complaints
• Chhattisgarh: The first state to go out of the polls, will be held in two phases. Elections will be held on November 11 and 19. Last date for nominations October 25, scrutiny on October 26
• Madhya Pradesh: Single phase polls in the state, notification on November 1, polls will be held on November 25
• Rajasthan: Polls to be held in single phase, elections will be held on December 1.
• Delhi: Polls to be held in single phase, elections will be held on December 4.
  
• Mizoram: Polls to be held in single phase, elections will be held on December 4. 
• Votes for all five states assemblies to be counted on December 8