PRESS NOTE - Schedule for the general election to the legislative assemblies of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh
The terms of the Legislative Assemblies of Gujarat and
Himachal Pradesh are normally due to expire on 26th December 2007 and
9th March 2008 respectively. By virtue of its powers, duties and functions
under Article 324 read with Article 172(1) of the Constitution of India, Section
15 of Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Commission is under a constitutional
mandate to hold general elections to constitute the new Legislative Assemblies
in these States at any time within a period of six months before the expiry of
the present term.
In the case of Himachal Pradesh, there are 68 assembly
constituencies. Out of them, there are 3 ACs namely, 1-Kinnaur (ST), 54-Bharmour
(ST) and 55-Lahaul and Spiti (ST) located in higher reaches of the State. The
passes in this area are officially closed on 15th November in view
of winter and snowfall. In the past, whenever the General Elections were held
during winter, though the elections were announced together for the entire State,
invariably, the elections to these 3 ACs had to be postponed to a later date in
May – June as the areas become snow bound and inaccessible. There was a demand
that the elections to all the constituencies in Himachal Pradesh should be held
together and there was a specific opinion against the elections to the above 3
ACs being held separately after the conclusion of the elections in the other constituencies.
This matter also is being agitated before the Hon’ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh.
The Election Commission had a consultation meeting with
all the political parties on this issue and all the political parties were of
the view that the elections to all the constituencies
of Himachal should be held together, and expressed a specific opinion against
the idea of elections to the 3 ACs being conducted after the election process
is completed in rest of the State.
Keeping all these in view, the Election Commission has
decided to announce the election schedule for conducting general election to Himachal
Pradesh.
ASSEMBLY
CONSTITUENCIES
2.
There are 182 Assembly Constituency seats (ACs) in Gujarat
out of which 26 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Tribes and 13 seats are reserved
for Schedules Castes. In case of Himachal Pradesh, there are 68 seats of which
3 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes and 16 are reserved for Scheduled Castes.
ELECTORAL
ROLLS
3. General Elections
will be conducted in these States on the basis of the electoral rolls revised
with reference to 01.01.07 as the qualifying date. The electoral roll revision
process in these States has been completed and the final publication was made
in Gujarat on 23.07.07 and in case of Himachal Pradesh on 5.6.07. As per final
rolls, there are 3,66,39,686 electors in the State of Gujarat and 45,43,024 electors
in Himachal Pradesh. The electoral rolls of all the Assembly Constituencies of
these States have been computerized and are available on the website of the Chief
Electoral Officers of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
ELECTORS
PHOTO IDENTITY CARDS (EPIC)
4. Identification
of the voters at the polling booth at the time of poll shall be mandatory. Presently,
in Gujarat, EPIC coverage stands at 81.34% while in case of Himachal Pradesh it
is 73.11%. The Commission has issued instructions to both the states to continue
the campaign for increasing the EPIC coverage.
ELECTRONIC
VOTING MACHINES (EVMs)
5 The Elections
in both the States will be conducted at all polling stations using EVMs. The Commission
has already made arrangements to ensure availability of adequate number of EVMs
for the smooth conduct of elections.
INDELIBLE
INK
6. The Commission
in recent times has been adopting a new procedure for the application of indelible
ink. The new procedure of applying the ink as a line running from top of the nail
to the bottom of first joint of the left forefinger will be followed during the
forthcoming general election in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh also.
LAW AND ORDER
AND DEPLOYMENT OF FORCES
7. Based on the
assessment of the ground situation, Central Para Military Forces (CPMFs) and State
Armed Police (SAPs) drawn from other States will be deployed during the ensuing
general elections. The CPMF and SAP will be used generally for safeguarding the
polling stations and for providing security to the electors and polling personnel
at the polling stations on the poll day. Besides, these forces will be used for
securing the strong rooms where the EVMs are stored and at the counting centers.
Wherever needed, the CPMF will be deployed in advance for area domination. The
identification of polling stations requiring coverage by CPMF in various assembly
constituencies will be made in consultation with the ECI Observers.
8. The Commission
has been issuing instructions from time to time with regard to the advance preventive
measures to be taken by the District Magistrates and Police authorities to maintain
the Law & Order and to create atmosphere conducive for the conduct of free
and fair elections. The Commission will be monitoring the ground situation closely
and will take appropriate measures to ensure peaceful, free and fair polls in
these States.
OBSERVERS
10. The Commission
will be deploying General and Expenditure Observers to ensure smooth conduct of
forthcoming General Election in these two states. The Observers will be asked
to keep a close watch on every stage of the electoral process to ensure free and
fair elections.
CONDUCT OF
OFFICIALS
11. The Commission
expects all officials engaged in the conduct of elections to discharge their duties
in an impartial manner without any fear or favour. Several instructions have been
issued from time to time to ensure impartiality of officials who are engaged in
conduct of elections. The conduct of all government officials who have been entrusted
with election related responsibilities and duties would remain under constant
scrutiny of the Commission and strict action shall be taken against those officials
who are found wanting on any account.
12. The Commission
has already given instructions that no election related official or
Police officer of the rank of Sub Inspector and above shall
be allowed to continue in his home district. Besides, instructions have also been
issued that all the election related officials including the police officials
who have completed three years in a district during last four years should be
transferred out of that district. The
Government of the States has also been asked to transfer all those officers against
whom the Commission has recommended disciplinary action or who have been charged
for any lapse during previous elections or for any election related work, from
the positions entailing any election work.
13. The Governments of these States have been
instructed to ensure that those who stand transferred shall move out physically
of their last place of posting and not remain there on any pretext including leave.
14. The Commission
has also instructed the State Government not to associate any officer with the
electoral process against whom charges have been framed in a court of law in any
case.
PROTECTION
TO SC/ST ELECTORS
20. As per Section
3 (1) (vii) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities)
Act, 1989, whoever, not being a member of a Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe,
forces or intimidates a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe not to
vote or to vote to a particular candidate or to vote in a manner other than that
provided by law shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not
be less than six months but which may extend to five years and with fine. The
Commission has asked the State Government to bring these provisions to the notice
of all concerned for prompt action.
POLLING STATIONS
15. There are 39620
polling stations in Gujarat and 6232 polling stations in Himachal Pradesh. For
the facility of physically challenged persons, instructions have been issued to
ensure that all polling stations are located at ground floor and ramps are provided.
Facilitation shall also be provided for locating voter’s name against a polling
station or a group of polling stations through help lines and facilitation centres.
POLLING PARTIES
AND RANDOMIZATION
16. Polling parties
shall be formed randomly, through a special software. Three-stage randomization
will be adopted. First, from a wider district database of eligible officials,
a shortlist of about 150% of the required numbers will be randomly picked. This
group will be trained for polling duties. In the second stage, from this trained
manpower, actual polling parties shall be formed by random selection software
in the presence of ECI Observers. In the last stage, the polling stations will
be allocated just before the polling party’s departure by random number generation.
The Central Government Employees will be utilized for the forthcoming elections
to the extent possible.
COMMUNICATION
SYSTEM
18. The District
Election Officers have been asked to prepare a comprehensive district election
plan including communication plan using multi-mode resources such as landline
telephones, mobile telephones, wireless sets etc., to facilitate effective monitoring
and control on the day of poll. They have also been asked to open Help Lines /Control
Rooms in each AC for the convenience of electors.
VIDEOGRAPHY
19. The Commission
has issued detailed guidelines for video coverage of all critical events during
the election process and polling at all vulnerable polling booths on the poll
day. The digital cameras will also be deployed inside the booths wherever needed.
MODEL CODE
OF CONDUCT
21. The Model
Code of Conduct comes into effect immediately from now onwards. The Code will
apply to the whole of the State of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and will be applicable
to all candidates, political parties, the State Governments concerned and the
Union Government.
SCHEDULE
22. The Commission
has prepared the schedule for holding General Election to the Legislative Assemblies
of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh after taking into consideration all relevant aspects
like the climatic conditions, academic schedules, festivals, prevailing law and
order situation in the State, availability of Central Para Military Forces (CPMFs),
time needed for movement and proper deployment of forces, and assessment of other
ground realities.
23. The Commission
after considering all relevant aspects has decided to recommend to the Governors
of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh to issue notifications for the General Elections
to the Legislative Assemblies of the respective States under the relevant provisions
of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as per the schedules given in the
Annexure I.(for Gujarat )and Annexure II (for Himachal
Pradesh)
24. The names of the Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat going
to poll in phase I are in Annexure III and names of the Assembly
Constituencies of Gujarat going to poll in phase II are in Annexure IV
.
Election Commission
of India
New Delhi,
Asvina 18, 1929
October 10, 2007
RM/AS-101007-
ANNEXURE
I
Schedule
for Election to Legislative Assembly of Gujarat
SCHEDULE
I
(For election
to 87 Assembly Constituencies as in annexure III)
| Date of Issue of Gazette Notification |
Last Date for making Nomination |
Last Date for Scrutiny of Nominations |
Last Date for Withdrawal of candidature |
The date(s) on which Poll shall, if necessary, be taken |
|
15.11.07 (Thursday) | 22.11.07 (Thursday) | 23.11.07 (Friday) | 26.11.07 (Monday) | 11.12.07 (Tuesday) |
SCHEDULE II
(For election
to the remaining 95 Assembly Constituencies as in annexure IV)
| Date of Issue of Gazette Notification |
Last Date for making Nomination |
Last Date for Scrutiny of Nominations |
Last Date for Withdrawal of candidature |
The date(s) on which Poll shall, if necessary, be taken |
|
21.11.07 (Wednesday) | 28.11.07 (Wednesday) | 29.11.07 (Thursday) | 01.12.07 (Saturday) | 16.12.07 (Sunday) |
Counting for both the phases on 23.12.07 (Sunday)
The date before which election shall be completed : 26.12.07
ANNEXURE
II
Schedule
for Election to Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh
SCHEDULE
I
(For election
to 3 ACs i.e. 1-Kinnaur (ST); 54-Bharmour (ST) and 55-Lahaul & Spiti (ST)
| Date of Issue of Gazette Notification |
Last Date for making Nomination |
Last Date for Scrutiny of Nominations |
Last Date for Withdrawal of candidature |
The date(s) on which Poll shall, if necessary, be taken |
|
20.10.07 (Saturday) | 27.10.07 (Saturday) | 29.10.07 (Monday) | 31.10.07 (Wednesday) | 14.11.07 (Wednesday) |
SCHEDULE II
(For election
to the remaining 65 Assembly Constituencies)
| Date of Issue of Gazette Notification |
Last Date for making Nomination |
Last Date for Scrutiny of Nominations |
Last Date for Withdrawal of candidature |
The date(s) on which Poll shall, if necessary, be taken |
|
23.11.07 (Friday) | 30.11.07 (Friday) | 01.12.07 (Saturday) | 03.12..07 (Monday) | 19.12.07 (Wednesday) |
Counting for both the Phases on 28.12.07 (Friday)
The date before which election shall be completed : 31.12.07
Annexure III
No.& Names of the Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat
going to poll in Phase I
| NO. & NAME OF ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCY | TYPE |
| 1 | ABDASA | GEN |
| 2 | MANDVI | GEN |
| 3 | BHUJ | GEN |
| 4 | MUNDRA | SC |
| 5 | ANJAR | GEN |
| 6 | RAPAR | GEN |
| 7 | DASADA | SC |
| 8 | WADHWAN | GEN |
| 9 | LIMBDI | GEN |
| 10 | CHOTILA | GEN |
| 11 | HALVAD | GEN |
| 12 | DHRANGADHRA | GEN |
| 13 | MORVI | GEN |
| 14 | TANKARA | GEN |
| 15 | WANKANER | GEN |
| 16 | JASDAN | GEN |
| 17 | RAJKOT-I | GEN |
| 18 | RAJKOT-II | GEN |
| 19 | RAJKOT
RURAL | SC |
| 20 | GONDAL | GEN |
| 21 | JETPUR | GEN |
| 22 | DHORAJI | GEN |
| 23 | UPLETA | GEN |
| 24 | JODIYA | GEN |
| 25 | JAMNAGAR | GEN |
| 26 | JAMNAGAR
RURAL | SC |
| 27 | KALAWAD | GEN |
| 28 | JAMJODHPUR | GEN |
| 29 | BHANVAD | GEN |
| 30 | KHAMBHALIA | GEN |
| 31 | DWARKA | GEN |
| 32 | PORBANDAR | GEN |
| 33 | KUTIYANA | GEN |
| 34 | MANGROL | GEN |
| 35 | MANAVADAR | GEN |
| 36 | KESHOD | SC |
| 37 | TALALA | GEN |
| 38 | SOMNATH | GEN |
| 39 | UNA | GEN |
| 40 | VISAVADAR | GEN |
| 41 | MALIYA | GEN |
| 42 | JUNAGADH | GEN |
| 43 | BABRA | GEN |
| 44 | LATHI | GEN |
| 45 | AMRELI | GEN |
| 46 | DHARI | GEN |
| 47 | KODINAR | GEN |
| 48 | RAJULA | GEN |
| 49 | BOTAD | GEN |
| 50 | GADHADA | SC |
| 51 | PALITANA | GEN |
| 52 | SIHOR | GEN |
| 53 | KUNDLA | GEN |
| 54 | MAHUVA | GEN |
| 55 | TALAJA | GEN |
| 56 | GHOGHO | GEN |
| 57 | BHAVNAGAR
NORTH | GEN |
| 58 | BHAVNAGAR
SOUTH | GEN |
| 154 | JAMBUSAR | GEN |
| 155 | VAGRA | GEN |
| 156 | BROACH | GEN |
| 157 | ANKLESHWAR | GEN |
| 158 | JHAGADIA | ST |
| 159 | DEDIAPADA | ST |
| 160 | RAJPIPLA | ST |
| 161 | NIJHAR | ST |
| 162 | MANGROL | ST |
| 163 | SONGADH | ST |
| 164 | VYARA | ST |
| 165 | MAHUVA | ST |
| 166 | BARDOLI | ST |
| 167 | KAMREJ | ST |
| 168 | OLPAD | GEN |
| 169 | SURAT
CITY NORTH | GEN |
| 170 | SURAT
CITY EAST | GEN |
| 171 | SURAT
CITY WEST | GEN |
| 172 | CHORASI | GEN |
| 173 | JALALPORE | GEN |
| 174 | NAVSARI | ST |
| 175 | GANDEVI | GEN |
| 176 | CHIKHLI | ST |
| 177 | DANGS
BANSDA | ST |
| 178 | BULSAR | GEN |
| 179 | DHARAMPUR | ST |
| 180 | MOTA
PONDHA | ST |
| 181 | PARDI | ST |
| 182 | UMBERGAON | ST |
Annexure IV
No.& Names of the Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat going
to poll in Phase II
| NO. &
NAME OF ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCY | TYPE |
| 59 | DHANDHUKA | GEN |
| 60 | DHOLKA | GEN |
| 61 | BAVLA | SC |
| 62 | MANDAL | GEN |
| 63 | VIRAMGAM | GEN |
| 64 | SARKHEJ | GEN |
| 65 | DASKROI | GEN |
| 66 | DEHGAM | GEN |
| 67 | SABARMATI | GEN |
| 68 | ELLIS BRIDGE | GEN |
| 69 | DARIAPUR-KAZIPUR | GEN |
| 70 | SHAHPUR | GEN |
| 71 | KALUPUR | GEN |
| 72 | ASARWA | GEN |
| 73 | RAKHIAL | GEN |
| 74 | SHAHER KOTDA | SC |
| 75 | KHADIA | GEN |
| 76 | JAMALPUR | GEN |
| 77 | MANINAGAR | GEN |
| 78 | NARODA | GEN |
| 79 | GANDHINAGAR | GEN |
| 80 | KALOL | GEN |
| 81 | KADI | GEN |
| 82 | JOTANA | SC |
| 83 | MEHSANA | GEN |
| 84 | MANSA | GEN |
| 85 | VIJAPUR | GEN |
| 86 | VISNAGAR | GEN |
| 87 | KHERALU | GEN |
| 88 | UNJHA | GEN |
| 89 | SIDHPUR | GEN |
| 90 | VAGDOD | GEN |
| 91 | PATAN | GEN |
| 92 | CHANASMA | GEN |
| 93 | SAMI | GEN |
| 94 | RADHANPUR | GEN |
| 95 | VAV | GEN |
| 96 | DEODAR | GEN |
| 97 | KANKREJ | GEN |
| 98 | DEESA | GEN |
| 99 | DHANERA | GEN |
| 100 | PALANPUR | GEN |
| 101 | VADGAM | SC |
| 102 | DANTA | GEN |
| 103 | KHEDBRAHMA | ST |
| 104 | IDAR | SC |
| 105 | BHILODA | GEN |
| 106 | HIMATNAGAR | GEN |
| 107 | PRANTIJ | GEN |
| 108 | MODASA | GEN |
| 109 | BAYAD | GEN |
| 110 | MEGHRAJ | GEN |
| 111 | SANTRAMPUR | GEN |
| 112 | JHALOD | ST |
| 113 | LIMDI | ST |
| 114 | DOHAD | ST |
| 115 | LIMKHEDA | ST |
| 116 | DEVGADH BARIA | GEN |
| 117 | RAJGADH | GEN |
| 118 | HALOL | GEN |
| 119 | KALOL | GEN |
| 120 | GODHRA | GEN |
| 121 | SHEHRA | GEN |
| 122 | LUNAVADA | GEN |
| 123 | RANDHIKPUR | ST |
| 124 | BALASINOR | GEN |
| 125 | KAPADVANJ | GEN |
| 126 | THASRA | GEN |
| 127 | UMRETH | GEN |
| 128 | KATHLAL | GEN |
| 129 | MEHMEDABAD | GEN |
| 130 | MAHUDHA | GEN |
| 131 | NADIAD | GEN |
| 132 | CHAKALASI | GEN |
| 133 | ANAND | GEN |
| 134 | SARSA | GEN |
| 135 | PETLAD | GEN |
| 136 | SOJITRA | SC |
| 137 | MATAR | GEN |
| 138 | BORSAD | GEN |
| 139 | BHADRAN | GEN |
| 140 | CAMBAY | GEN |
| 141 | CHHOTA UDAIPUR | ST |
| 142 | JETPUR | GEN |
| 143 | NASVADI | ST |
| 144 | SANKHEDA | ST |
| 145 | DABHOI | GEN |
| 146 | SAVLI | GEN |
| 147 | BARODA CITY | GEN |
| 148 | SAYAJIGANJ | GEN |
| 149 | RAOPURA | GEN |
| 150 | VAGHODIA | GEN |
| 151 | BARODA RURAL | GEN |
| 152 | PADRA | GEN |
| 153 | KARJAN | SC |
(Release ID :31813)