The election commission divided the assembly elections in 7 phases and aimed to proceed a Covid-safe elections. The country was thrust into election mode on Saturday, one of the most critical days before the next Lok Sabha elections, when the Election Commission announced the voting schedule for 5 states including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Goa, which will take place between February 10 and March 7.
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Elections will be held in seven phases in Uttar Pradesh (February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3 and 7) on the grounds of seats and two phases in Manipur (February 27 and March 3). However, a single-phase election will be held in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Goa on February 14. There will be votes in 690 constituencies, with the most in Uttar Pradesh (403 seats), Punjab (117), Uttarakhand (70), Manipur (60), and Goa (40).
Understand the scheduled election with this table:
| States | Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3 | Phase 4 | Phase 5 | Phase 6 | Phase 7 |
| UP | 10 Feb. | 14 Feb. | 20 Feb. | 23 Feb. | 27 Feb. | 3 March | 7 March |
| Manipur | – | – | – | – | 27 Feb | 3 March | – |
| Uttarakhand | – | 14 Feb. | – | – | – | – | – |
| Punjab | – | 14 Feb. | – | – | – | – | – |
| Goa | – | 14 Feb. | – | – | – | – | – |
The counting of votes in all five states will take place on March 10, according to Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra.
The polls will have an impact on the fate of the Opposition, particularly the Congress, in the run-up to the 2024 elections, with the BJP hoping to boost its confidence with a landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur, where it currently reigns, and possibly help overthrow its main national opponent in Punjab if it does not win.
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Furthermore, rallies and political campaigns are prohibited between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. every day.
All political parties have been instructed to campaign online wherever feasible and to keep their public activities to a minimum. Door-to-door canvassing is limited to a maximum of five members per team.
All states’ voting hours have been extended by an hour, and only 1,250 individuals will be permitted to vote in each. This means that approximately 30,000 more booths will be built, representing a 16 percent increase.
Furthermore, sanitizers will be provided at all voting sites, and poll workers will be required to wear face masks.
