LIVE: Be proud of EVM, over 3.5 bn have used it since 2004, says CEC

Uttar Pradesh to go to poll in 7 phases from Feb 10-March 7; Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa to vote on February 14 and Manipur to vote on Feb 27 and March 3

Assembly Election Dates Announcement LIVE updates: The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for Uttara Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa Assembly elections today. While 403 Assembly seats are slated to go to polls in Uttar Pradesh, 70 seats are up for grabs in Uttarakhand, 117 seats in Punjab, 40 seats in Goa and 60 seats in Manipur.

As Omicron sweeps through the country, driving an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases, Uttarakhand has become the first poll-bound state to ban political rallies and protests amid the growing number of Covid-19 cases in the state. Congress will no longer hold public rallies in Uttar Pradesh to prevent mass gathering and the party has urged Yogi Adityanath and PM Modi to do the same.

Uttar Pradesh to go to poll in 7 phases from 10th Feb to 7th March; Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa to vote on 14th February & Manipur to vote on 27th Feb & 3rd March.

Stay tuned for Assembly elections LIVE updates

7:59 PM

BJP will come to power in Goa with full majority again: Sawant

7:21 PM

Budget Session will be 'out of focus', says TMC after EC announces schedule of polls in 5 states

The Budget Session will be "out of focus" and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "gameplan is to make Parliament irrelevant", alleged the Trinamool Congress on Saturday after the announcement of dates for the Assembly elections to five states.

 

Parliament's Budget Session usually begins in the last week of January every year.

 

"The Winter Session of Parliament was washed out by the BJP. With elections in full swing, the Budget session will be out of focus. This is Modi's gameplan: Make Parliament irrelevant so he is accountable to no one," said TMC Rajya Sabha MP and its national spokesperson Derek O' Brien.

6:33 PM

We're fully prepared to work in line with EC instructions: Uttarakhand CM

6:07 PM

BJP will again receive the blessings of the people in the upcoming Assembly elections: Nadda

5:52 PM

Feb 14 has historically been lucky for AAP: Sisodia

5:42 PM

Lucknow Municipal Corporation starts removing hoardings

5:29 PM

These poll dates will mark a huge change in UP: Akhilesh

5:28 PM

'EVM is no issue now'

4:50 PM

Equitable distribution of seats for UP in seven phases, says EC

4:41 PM

Congress welcomes Election Commission's instructions: Punjab minister

4:40 PM

Sufficient CAPF companies will be deployed in all poll-bound states

4:21 PM

Voting for Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa assembly elections

4:18 PM

5 states to vote in 7 phases from Feb 10, results on March 10, says EC

4:11 PM

Assembly elections in all five states will be completed in total seven phases: CEC

4:06 PM

No road shows, rallies in 5 poll-bound states till Jan 15, says EC