Poll dates for five states announced.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit

The Election Commission has announced election dates for five states - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Delhi - seen as the semifinals before the General Elections next year.

The Election Commission on Friday announced one-day poll in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Mizoram while Maoist-infested Chhattisgarh will have two-phased elections.

The two-phased polls in Chhattisgarh will be held on November 11 and 19 while elections will be held in Madhya Pradesh on November 25, Rajasthan on December 1, Delhi and Mizoram on December 4.

Counting of votes in all the states will be taken up on December 8.

Announcing the dates, Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath said that the modal code of conduct had come into force with the announcement of these dates.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

The poll schedule is:
1. Chhattisgarh:

Elections in two phases.

Notifications for 1st phase to be issued on October 18.

Last date for filing nominations is October 25.

Date of poll: November 11.

Second phase:

Date of notification: October 25.

Date of poll: November 19.

2. Madhya Pradesh:

Single phase.

Date of notification: November 1.

Last date for nominations: November 8.

Date for scrutiny of nominations: November 9.

Last date for withdrawal: November 11.

Date of poll: November 25.

3. Rajasthan:

Single phase.

Date of notification: November 5.

Date of scrutiny of nominations: November 13.

Date of poll: December 1.

4. Delhi:

Single phase.

Date of notification: November 9.

Date for scrutiny of nominations: November 18.

Last date for withdrawal of candidates: November 20.

Date of poll: December 4.

5. Mizoram:

Single phase.

Date of notification: November 9.

Date of poll: December 4.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot

The poll schedule was finalised at a meeting of the Commission chaired by Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath and two Election Commissioners H.S. Brahma and Nasim Zaidi, where other top EC officials were also present.

Delhi has to elect a new 70-member state Assembly, Rajasthan has to elect a new 200-member state Assembly while Mizoram has to elect 40-member Assembly.

Chhattisgarh has to elect a new 90-member state Assembly while Madhya Pradesh has to elect 230-member state Assembly.

The tenure of the current Madhya Pradesh Assembly ends on December 12, Mizoram on December 15 and Delhi Assembly on December 17, while that of Rajasthan Assembly ends on December 31 and Chhattisgarh

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/2013-assembly-polls-election-commission-rajasthan-delhi-madhya-pradesh-chhattisgarh/1/313101.html