The Election Commission has announced the election dates for five states, viz., Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa Assemblies here on Wednesday.

Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi told reporters that over 15 crore voters will be eligible for voting in the polls and 1.85 lakh polling stations will be set up in the five states. All preparations will be made to ensure law and order during the polls, he added.

He also said Press Council members will assist the panel to curb paid news.

Election dates

In Uttar Pradesh (403 constituencies), the polling will be held in seven phases starting February 11. The first phase will be on 11 February (73 constituencies in 15 districts), second on 15 February (67 constituencies in 11 districts), third on 19 February (69 constituencies in 12 districts), fourth on 23 February (53 constituencies in 12 districts), fifth on 27 February (52 constituencies in 11 districts), sixth on 4 March (49 constituencies in seven districts) and final phase on 7 March (40 constituencies in seven districts).

Goa (40 constituencies) and Punjab (117 constituencies) will go to polls on 4 February.

Manipur (60 constituencies) Assembly polls will be held in two phases - 4 March and 8 March.

The poll date for Uttarakhand (70 constituencies), is February 15.

The votes will be counted on 11 March.

Zaidi said several political parties have approached him on the date of budget, scheduled on 1 February as the model code of conduct is on from Wednesday. He said the EC will take a decision after going through the representations.

On the questions of petitions by both the factions of Samajwadi Party too, he said a decision will be taken in the due course.

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