Click to play videoNew Delhi: The Assembly polls are due in six states — Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttaranchal, Manipur, Goa and Gujarat — across the country next year and the Election Commission is all set to chalk out the road-map for fair and peaceful elections.
While electoral rolls are being worked on, a final announcement of the poll schedule is expected closer to the voting dates. The election calendar is being planned in such a way that the new Assembly is constituted before the term of the previous Assembly ends.
Sources say that the elections in Punjab, Uttaranchal and Manipur could be completed by February-end or latest by early March since the term of their state Assemblies is due for completion in March.
The largest and the most politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, where the term of the state Assembly ends on May 14, 2007, may go to the polls a little later.
All indications are that the polls in UP will be held in a phased manner as in 2002.
The Election Commission could well put those two extra months — March and April — to good use, preparing for UP.
It's political significance apart, following the large-scale violence during the recently held local body elections there, the EC wants to ensure that the polls are held in a free and fair manner.
After Uttar Pradesh, the next big challenge for the Election Commission will be Gujarat, where elections are scheduled before year end.
The term of the Gujarat state Assembly expires on December 26, 2007 making it a year-ender to watch out for. The polls in Goa are also due as the term of the state Assembly ends on June 11, 2007.
(With Satyarth Nayak)
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