Election Commission Announces Poll Dates: Highlights

New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath today announced poll dates for Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly polls.

The term of the Haryana Assembly ends on October 27 and that of Maharashtra on November 8. Both states are presently ruled by the Congress.

Here are the highlights of the presser:

• We will today announce election dates for two legislative assembly elections - Maharashtra and Haryana
• As per 31st July, the number of electorate in Haryana is 1.6 crore, and 8.25 crore in Maharashtra
• Every voter should check well in time whether his name continues to be on the roll
• The electoral rolls can be updated till the last date for filing of nomination
• The Election Commission has made provisions for NOTA as per directions of Supreme Court
• Issue of voter ID slips is one of the voter facilitation measures; elaborate arrangements have been made for it
• Elaborate arrangements and requisite forces will be there to ensure free and fair polls
• Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail will be used in limited numbers in these elections
• Utmost importance has been given to voter education for election participation
• The Election Commission has evolved elaborate measures for effective monitoring of poll expenditure
• In every block there will be one model polling station - endeavour over time to make every polling station a 'model' polling station
• Officials involved in conduct of polls will be subject to EC control and discipline
• Commission expects highest standards of neutrality and impartiality
  
• The notification will be issue on September 20, the last day for filing nominations will be September 27
• Scrutiny of nominations will be done on September 29, last day for withdrawing the names: October 1
• Date of elections: October 15. It's only one-day poll. The counting will take place on October 19.
• By-poll will be held in Beed in Maharashtra for Lok Sabha seat along with these polls
• We are watching the situation very closely in Jammu and Kashmir
• After things stabilise, a decision will be taken to hold the elections there
• Model code for central government will be in respect to states going to poll